DIY Activist Art with Laser Cut Stencils - Drop-in All Weekend

[mozfest-bot]

[ UUID ] c92ee7af-838b-4acb-b625-26b02467bb1e

[ Session Name ] DIY Activist Art with Laser Cut Stencils - Drop-in All Weekend [ Primary Space ] Privacy and Security [ Secondary Space ] Youth Zone

[ Submitter's Name ] Andrew Wilson [ Submitter's Affiliated Organisation ] [ Submitter's Github ] @drewrwilson

[ Additional facilitators ] Helen O'Hara,Justin Duffy,Annie Cohn,Spencer Mewherter

What will happen in your session?

In this drop-in area we'll use laser-cut stencils to print our own activisty shirts, bandanas, bags and posters. Use pre-made stencil designs to make art with a message about the open web. You can mix colors and remix designs to make your own unique prints that you can take home! I’ve done this at MozFest in some form for the past few years. One year it was as a session in the Youth Zone and last year it was a drop-in area all weekend located next to the main speaker area. It has been such a huge success in the past. I’d love to do it again as a drop-in session right in the main area.

What is the goal or outcome of your session?

The goal of this drop-in area is to have a participatory print making where people make their physical printed objects that show off their support for the open web. This session also helps facilitate communication between participants because they often work together on prints and share tools--last year there were people meeting each other and exchange contact info throughout. Annnd I also think this session is a good example of open source remixing, it shows participants how an open web allows us to share tools to make our unique things. It’s a good hands-on way to demonstrate some of the concepts about restrictive copyright and remixing.

If your session requires additional materials or electronic equipment, please outline your needs.

Last year I used the laser cutter in Ravensbourne for a few last minute custom stencils and that was very useful! But I could even do this without that because I'll bring pre-cut stencils. Otherwise the materials I require are relatively cheap: fabric, paints, paint rollers and some cardstock material to use to make the stencils in advance. Last year Mozilla provided a budget for me for materials and I provided receipts. If Mozilla can provide a small budget for these materials again this year, I can acquire them all provide it all or if you prefer I could make a list of stuff that we need and provide links for where to buy them.

Time needed

All weekend, as an installation, exhibit or drop-in session

[EPIKhub]

@drewrwilson - Interesting arty session, are you guys UK or EU based ....? Any youth leading the session?

[drewrwilson]

@EPIKhub Thanks! :) This has gone really well over the past few years. I don't have youth to help lead this, but I would love that! There are a few people who have come back year after year who I might be able to involve! Since I'm proposing this as a weekend-long drop-in area, I think there's a great opportunity to have youth take shift at it and manage the area! Also to answer your question: I'm living on the East Coast in the US, but I'm from the EU.

[drewrwilson]

@EPIKhub one way that include youth in this before the session even takes place: We could put out a call for youth or clubs that are attending to submit designs for stencils that I could make for this area. eg I could make a github repo or quick webpage with a description of the type of file I need then youth (or ppl of all ages) can submit a stencil design and I'll produce them before the festival and bring it with me to MozFest so people print with them when they arrive. We could put some constraints on the designs eg they must be about the open web, activism, or about their local club. Just an idea! :)

[EPIKhub]

@drewrwilson - putting a call out is an awesome idea, I love the idea of remote inclusion/engagement as a bigger piece as so many cannot take part from lack of money to a need to stay at home - my limitation is our space has no adult only stipends left, but we might have 1 family international stipend, and we also have some EU/UK stipends for sessions that are youth led.

[bunnybooboo]

Hi @drewrwilson!! The Privacy and Security team have decided to decline your proposal, as it doesn't really align with our narrative this year. Freeing it up for Youth Zone have the chance to take a closer look.

[mozfest-bot]

Thank you for taking the time to submit a session to MozFest. Due to the high level of submissions, we’re unable to accept all proposals and unfortunately, your session was not part of the final group.

Thank you for taking the time to submit and we will follow up on email very soon.