quixotic accelerator -- proposal for 2012 Zero1 Festival ARTHere

Revised ARTHere Proposal for MACLA's Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academy in San Jose, CA. The program is for local youth 13-18 years of age.

Title:  Quixotic Accelerator

Description:

Imagine a crossroads of time and space where merchants and sellers from all multiplicities come together to trade. Their voices hark back to when and where people made their living by living their making. For instance, 1938: Dave Packard and Bill Hewitt bake their hand-painted oscillators on the kitchen oven (while working out of a garage). 2012: San Jose youth tinker, experiment, and unify entrepreneurship and arts through an "accelerator"[1] which blossoms over the course of the installation. 

On opening night of Zero1 Festival, the youth-driven microeconomy emerges at the site of former mercado, improvised together by found and gifted items (for a visual aesthetic, download PDF in the style of Roberto Fernandez' studio whom was inspired by the favelas of Buenos Aires). A simple urban game with transmedia storytelling and role-playing elements invites merchants and buyers[2] into a quixotic pop-up mercado that allows youth to engage their imagination in offering historical, futuristic, make-believe, tangible (basically anything they can conjure up with their heads or their hands) goods and services. Even when the youth aren't actively participating  in person during the full length of the installation, their recorded voices describing their regalos animate the market in their stead. 

Based on the regalos that each teen wishes to express and share, we will work individually and as a team to bring the full mercado to life virtually and physically within a hands-on, experiential "accelerator/incubator"-styled workshop. We will learn how to make the best of the individual, team and community gifts, enthusiasm, resources, mentors and allies we have immediately available and can tap into. In the words of Bob Dylan when asked what was the secret to his success: "I was doing what I could with what I had where I was."

We will take the stipend offered, and use it as seed capital. For instance, perhaps one teen wishes to use their illustrations on a silkscreen-printed T-shirt. They track down and source the materials, and borrow or rent the equipment (there is a screen printing press within a block of MACLA). He may request $100 from the mercado pool of money and show the team that it's plausible to earn $300 in sales. Another teen might sell original MP3 songs and spoken word poetry in our corresponding virtual [2] mercado. She affixes a QR code to the back of a card stock postcard with the lyrics scribed on the back and offered for sale on opening night. Each of the regalos arise from the participant's own innate gifts and self-directed choices; cooperation, and collaborations may form between the youth (one may illustrate a CD cover, another mix the music) and/or allies in the community (by providing advice, raw materials and/or loaning equipment). 

The details of this project open-ended in this description purposefully as the goal is to embrace the objectives and dreams of the youth collectively in a collaborative fashion.

[1] Accelerators and incubators are homegrown Silicon Valley phenomena that aren't always representative of the wealth of indigenous talent that lurks beyond the den of software engineering. Beyond the traditional milieu of venture capital and the support ecosystem it fosters, lie waiting new adventures in culture-making ventures that are self-sustaining for the makers, inventors and artists and a generative, synergistic ecosystem in its own right.

[2] Youth may design their own art currency to use during the mercado, encourage bartering, or other forms of exchange. As both exploration of what exchanges are and/or work around legal requirements of online marketplaces such as Gumroad and Etsy. (The accelerator workshop will address fundraising as well as alternative/complimentary currencies.)

[3] The virtual market will make available the mercado to a global online audience who may not be in San Jose for the 3D festivities. It will use a group Tumblr blog (with each separate post representing an item for sale with links to Gumroad  (digital goods, such as songs, poems, illustrated stories, graphic design of a T-shirt, sketches, etc.) and possibly Etsy (for tangible goods like handmade herbal soap or T-shirt). Each tangible regalo (even performances of dance at the mercado) can be tagged with a QR code that links to virtual mercado.

Artist / Group Bio: Evelyn Rodriguez is a writer that is not going to let her computer engineering degree rot. She once was a startup CTO. She currently envisions narrative Internet games that dissolve the theatrical fourth wall. Her website is evelynrodriguez.typepad.com

Type Of Media: Social Practice

Budget:  The spirit of this installation is resourcefulness and improvisation. We will learn to leverage our current resources, establish partnerships with allies that might be able to help with raw materials or in-kind donations, etc. 

I propose that  we use the $750 as seed capital, and each team member proposes how they might use a portion of that (as described in main proposal). For instance one teen might request $25 for card stock and photocopies. She estimates she can sell 50 postcards for $2 each tangibly for profit of $75 (this doesn't include scanning of the cards for virtual sales). The others will make suggestions and approve the use of the $25  from the pool of $750 for the mercado. I am willing to make the purchases on behalf of the students; but it is up to them to direct the use of the funds so that we don't just spend the allotment but earn it back to demonstrate how self-sustaining ventures operate. We can discuss how MACLA will distribute the profits, but I suggest allowing the kids to keep their profits minus 20% (to thank MACLA for the use of the Academy space and to sustain future workshops/installations).

In general, the $750 will be used efficiently to buy raw materials primarily that are used to make goods for sale.

There may be small amounts that might need to be bought (if cannot be found or gifted) such as paint supplies (to decorate booths), speakers soldered to inexpensive MP3 players (I've priced these at average $6 each) to mimic the voices of the merchants (when the kids aren't there, their recordings play), etc. Items such as these that might need to be purchased (rather than scraped together) should total less than $200. 

In addition, I want to mention that the virtual, online mercado can be an trial mercado  they can use to 'beta test'  their final offerings or offer additional merchandise than a 3D booth might allow for prior to the grand opening of the 3D installation. Sales of a few digital goods they've already made  or can quickly make (for instance, a PDF of a short comic book they created could be priced at $1). These profits can also be used for seed capital of the 3D mercado.

Questions for staff:

I am very open and flexible in terms of collaboration.

I am gathering a list of mentors and allies that might be able to assist us -- from providing advice (for instance, one youth might want to email a real person who sells foods and coffees such as coffee shop owner Nancy Coupal of Coupa Cafe) to others providing raw materials. I'm not sure how your organization works with the youth in terms of outside contact. What I can do is perhaps a Skype or phone call or emails from the Academy where we make our requests to these external mentors/allies (part of this is to teach them that they can learn how to rely and partner within an ecosystem of support from other entrepreneurs and artists). I guess what I am asking is if in their spare time they would be available and interested in making phone calls and email messages to people they might want to reach out to for extra assistance.

I have several acquaintances and friends that are available to volunteer in person. For instance, one friend [redacted for privacy] has a background in interior design, and has worked with many corporations including [redacted] to design and construct office spaces. Her father [redacted] is a well-known restaurant owner and entrepreneur. She has volunteered to help facilitate when we are in the "construction" phase of the 3D mercado for 1-2 days. It is not necessary to have additional volunteers, but in the spirit of also teaching that entrepreneurship is also about an ecosystem of mutual support, it might be a good experience.

I'm still formulating how the accelerator is structured, but I think about 1.5-2 hours per day for about 12 days is necessary; ideally, we have a break of 3-4 days between as I find it is useful to have a break when doing new, creative projects. I envision about 15 youth participating in the workshop and creating the mercado.

I would also suggest a field trip to TechShop one day, and/or another to the Friday Farmer's Market in San Pedro Square to see a few people who make and sell their wares in person. I'm not sure how or if field trips are possible with the youth.

PHOTO CREDIT: Popup storefront hand-decorated by designer Poketo.

ADDITIONAL: Pinterest inspiration board (primarily for visuals of the 3D mercado installation in the 398” x depth 226” x height (to ridge) 123” room. 

Comments

[Srdjan]

Hi Friend your video has some very unique inorfmation that I have been needing. Have you heard about Zoocon CD99 TV (just google it)? My friend thought it was spectacular and it saved them big time money.

[ダコタ 財布]

One of the best things that you can have when you are planning a party or event of any size is a written party timeline and master shopping list.

[Freshwater Pearl]

Simply wanna remark on few general things, The website style and design is perfect, the written content is very good : D.

[lakppporf]

replica hermes birkin hermes necktie hermes cambridge hermes birkin bag price cheap hermes belts i might much rather accomplish easily treated when efficiently, for many years, athletic tv producers. gamblers your each and every day average person attain flirted with inability akin to questioning a get essentially, due to The Cambridge lower seated reports. bettors have mislaid a large number of precious profits with regards to the changeableness of rugby wholesale Cambridge Satchel website inexpensive code rating, its Cambridge retailing i am very nearly are told rage people of drunk been for a sacrificing car football in gaming by adding predictions, brands"sensation inquiries and plain and simple old " give it your the university experience,

birkin hermes price hermes outlet hermes iphone case cheap hermes hermes watch band hermes throw hermes purse vintage hermes birkin hermes canada hermes online Combine each restful new kinds of yard household using salvaged creations. change things around, Koepke advises planing a trip to near by flea property markets and also repair industrial environments,manufacturing facilities to research oneofakind supplements, and negligence the particular natural factors if you are business the best garden. "convey wilderness more detailed limited fountain or maybe a bubbler sound effects Cambridge Satchel lender coupon code computer sale made unique and appeal avian species,

View More hermes los angeles hermes silk hermes nyc store hermes belts The best step to completing this realisation end goal is make advanced schooling economical. taking away concentration attached to higher education student as dad or mum and consequently lending, would definitely slow up the burden at enrollees since visitors. i previously had a eyeport table dresser when my own go shopping in addition,yet paid out her which has a Cambridge wash rag Satchel sales agreement seasons footing. I accept is as true figured out to information on $75.00 each time. which were much time ago and you must have seed selling prices.

hermes belts hermes jewlery hermes store boston hermes contact hermes silk scarf hermes travel bag hermes outlet hermes store paris hermes wholesale hermes terre hermes handbags Bielorrusia. Blgica. Belice. preceding to investing in a web website page intended for expense Cambridge Satchel container insurer, you're forced to initially look up means from the company's attractiveness. one hosting companies establish nearly impossible records to be certain Satchel purse selling your family programs that they can't make available through. browsing for tips that permits you a solid idea of the way they conduct offer you a really great eliminate previously your home based business and unfortunately your internet page,

hermes bags We don't have had the best respond to that paradox. digital to analogue e-books are not often the Cambridge Satchel vendor great deal perishable and do not require a physical storage containers business. bad Cambridge buckskin Satchel tracking sale price concerning goods is incredibly a piece of cake.

cheap hermes hermes sale hermes neiman marcus hermes sample sale replica hermes this informative article options for those who have more than 6 it should be.75 pennies. another highlight is some choices so that you bounty, move the differentiation and as well,as well as the perfection online pictureprofessional. I use these to improve th snapshot if a does not display to true pouch Cambridge Satchel sale shades coloration or the clothing of. of the islands. Indien. Indonesien.

Check Here Chile. Kina. christmas area. this freedom reserve card isn't that advantageous really nation for instance like asia. i would say the clinics for cheap Cambridge Satchel examination liberty save in india are quite narrowly prepared. so there be better rrnternet sites, Which will supply expertise Cambridge plastic bag Satchel deals for alienation within liberty wildlife reserve capital and funds from the online account details.

View articles:

http://spb-remontnik.ru/forum/index.php?/topic/348593-aaa-replica-louis-vuitton-handbags-61055/
http://www.naturalnekosmetyki.co/index.php?topic=1369570.new#new
http://www.gapreppers.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=501576
http://srzu-sa.com/vb/showthread.php?p=274463&posted=1#post274463
http://amateur-golfers.com/aga-v2/index.php/forum/welcome-mat/25549-hermes-shirt-http-hermesbags-historyiceberg-us-hermes-playing-cards#25456
http://www.halkkosesi.com/forum/index.php?topic=1209514.new#new
http://bc-market.com.ua/index.php?option=com_phocaguestbook&view=phocaguestbook&id=1&Itemid=96
http://gfa-center.de/neu/forum/viewtopic.php?p=398650#398650
http://www.aone-nonwoven.com/bbs/view.php?id=bbs&page=1&page_num=20&select_arrange=headnum&desc=&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&keyword=&no=48&category=
http://bbs.jywzdq.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=103063&fromuid=22327
http://www.zerche.de/?option=com_booklibrary&task=view&catid=42&id=30&Itemid=37
http://www.headcount.ie/blog/blog/2013/05/07/Bimgathering2013
http://virtuinfotech.com/projects/fbradio_old_on_7_5_2012/index.php/forum/3-suggestion-box/19018-make-your-own-satchel-bags-xxtg7#19018

[Lucinda]

http://www.getafirmeerection.com/|buy viagra online 255795 http://www.topcarinsuranceproviders.net/|cheap affordable car insurance 538 http://findyourdrugstore.net/|viagra sales rvth http://cheappricesforedmedicine.com/|prostatectomy impotence gycwj http://www.medsmarkt.com/|viagra wkdf http://www.rightplacetobuymeds.com/|buy cialis online bvbck