Field Trip

Today we will be visiting the Trillium Charter School in North Portland.
http://www.trilliumcharterschool.org/

Dear Alex,

I would like to employ your assistance.

I'm having trouble getting started.

Will you help me approach food cart owners to see what their slow hours are? I want to start recording some interviews, taking some pictures, identifying some interest and working with the people who seem most into the idea of having a publication that gathers words and images from Portland State food carts.

And another question for everyone: if everyone (and every newspaper or publication) in the city is suddenly into foodcarts (or if I've just noticed that people have always been interested) does that make my project less interesting? Am I regurgitating something that's already been done?

Thanks dudes.

Nicole

Residency...

I live down by Johnson Creek and I sit out on the shore to do a lot of my painting. Its actually my residency. I get most of my ideas gazing into the creek.

week long "spring focus" at PNCA

If anyone is interested in seeing the proposals for theses or defense of semester long thesis projects at my school please come by (there is usually free food at lunch time)

My friend Ryan made a newspaper and his presentation should be pretty interesting. He is going to be in the MFA program next fall.  (Thursday 4pm rm 204)  There are some other great artists as well.  Email me if you are curious or want recommendations

PNCA

1241 NW Johnson 

-Sarah

Temporary Link Post

This is a temporary post. These are links that Eric will discuss in class on April 23.

The PSU art and social practice group:
Avalon Kalin
Amy Steel
Varinthorn Christopher
Katy Asher
Laurel Kurtz
Cyrus W Smith
Sandy Sampson - 1 and 2
Eric Steen
Jen Delos Reyes
Harrell Fletcher

The CCA Social Practice Site
Sara Thacher

Artists:
Pawel Althamer
Suzanne Lacy
Mierle Ukeles Laderman
San Keller

Variations:
Hannah Jickling
Shelby Davis
Gary Wiseman


Artist Groups:
Red 76
Amity Works
Temporary Services
RtMark
The Yes Men
Rebar

A link to groups that are not art groups.

Education/Schools/Pedagogical Models
Pawel Althamer At the Center Pompidou
Joseph Beuys - only links to a picture
United Nations Plaza
Public School
CUP
Cesare Pietroiusti - Practical Skills
Thomas Hirschhorn – 24 hour Foucault
Utopia Station
The Land
High Desert Test Sites

Visiting the Village Free School

One element of this class is traveling to alternative educational centers around Portland, learn about the different models, and somehow incorporate a pedagogical element into our own residency projects. Last week we visited the Village Free School in SE Portland. In the picture above, Paul is telling us that the school operates on three overlapping principles: freedom, democracy, and community. Here, the school maintains a noncercive education; anything the students do, they choose to do. There is no standard curriculum, instead, the staff helps the students find their passions and develop those as naturally as possible. Also, the students have an equal vote with the staff and the parents in deciding any rules and decisions for those school. This model was interesting to say the least and we have had many conversations since then about ideals and if there is value in learning something you don't want to learn.

Pictures from Village Free School

We visited the Village Free School last Wednesday. Here are some pictures. Thank you Paul & Chris for being lovely hosts.





Some more interesting sites
http://portland.freeskool.org/
http://www.albanyfreeschool.com/
http://www.brooklynfreeschool.org/
We talked quite a bit about Summerhill, here's the web http://www.summerhillschool.co.uk/

High Tech High

I saw a report on High Tech High that I thought may be of interest regarding our exploration of alternative education models. The high school is part of the San Diego public school system. It is for students interested in technology, they are admitted by lottery because there is so much interest and too few spots. I think you can find a short video of interview I saw on PBS if you follow the link above.

Fellow artists and creative companeros, this is a creative opportunity for us to collaborate with out art and thoughts. Have at it!

open house

Ezra
635 N Fargo st
pdx
610 505 5539
ezraduke@yahoo.com
fri 5-9
be there or be somewhere else
you have no choice
all my love
ez

Our field trip to the Village Free School

http://www.villagefreeschool.org/home

We will be meeting at the school at 2:00. If you need to take public transportation you can do this:

-From SW 4th and Lincoln (near the art building)
-Get on bus #17 at 1:18pm.
-Exit at SE Holgate and 62nd
-Walk to SE Foster and 63rd
-Board bus #14 at 1:50ish
-Exit at SE Foster and 86th

-Walk to 5747 SE 87th Ave.

bunny colored rainbows.

Here's the commercial my picture of choice was taken from. It's for the SONY "bravia", which appears to be some badical television.



And here's a picture to show scale:

Also, the website is rather entertaining, so click this if you feel so inclined.

LASTLY---for those of you who enjoyed and or cant get it out of your head, the song we listened to today is called "Ce Jeu" by YELLE.

Stella

Well, its a beautiful day in the Peoples Republic of Sellwood! Stella is seen in this picture! Its the oldest beer in the world started in the 11th century. I am doing research into the impact of beer on socialism in a communal sense, looking out over the Willamette on Saturday.

Helen Gordon Child Development Center

Today we visited the Helen Gordon Child Development Center which is Portland State University's full-day infant/toddler, preschool and kindergarten program and laboratory. Click the link for more school info and learn more about Reggio Emilia program.
I found some sites below.
direct link for the original one in Italy
http://www.reggioalliance.org/
http://www.learningmaterialswork.com/
http://www.cdacouncil.org/
http://www.projectapproach.org/
I have some old pictures that I took from the first time I visited (with permission).

off the subject

If you are intrested in propoganda about our government, you should check out Zeitgeistmovie.com I think you'll find it very interesting. It is a movie that you can actually watch on line, sharing hidden information about our government, 911, and other stuff. I'm not big into politics, but I think this does reinforce/remind us of our innate desire for justice if nothing else. I bought the movie and it should be arriving soon. If anyone is interested in watching it together or anything about it... I would love to share.

touching people

We didn't really get a chance to talk about Justin's excersise...But, I was thinking about how interesting it is when others (or myself) do something that breaks the rules of the social "norms". Personally, I think it usually seems acceptable if the person is sincere (and ofcourse, the action isn't offensive). There is a definite difference though, when someone does something out of the "norm" and there intentions arn't sincere. This is when I find it harder to accept and or do myself. I tried to find a way to be sincere in touching these people even though I was going out of my way to do it because of our instructions. I appriciate the push out of the comfort zone, however.

just for grins

i just stumbled upon some hilarious posts under the best-of-craigslist heading, have a good weekend!

A New Term

It's a new term and we have a new class. Please stay posted for updates.