What is a community public art project to raise awareness and funds? Think AIDS QUILT. Something kinda like that. Only this one is for ME/CFS and instead of quilt panels, people send in personalized socks!
Sock it to ME
for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Background:
I'd been impatient to DO something, to get more public awareness of ME/CFS, like, along the lines of how ACT-UP drew attention to AIDS.
I found Phoenix Rising and started feeling optimistic from the first day here. I knew I would find a project.
I was talking with talkingfox. She told me this:
Hillary Johnson, author of Osler's Web, has said that we need something like the AIDS quilt: something engaging and colorful and big to get positive attention.
And then talkingfox said, what about socks.
SOCKS???
SOCKS!!!
Dr. Bell, as talkingfox pointed out to me, has this saying when there's some really great research making him happy. He says, "It makes my socks go up and down."
So talkingfox was thinking, personalized socks, like regular socks you would wear or like Christmas stockings, would express the idea of comfort and coziness, caring for ME/CFS patients.
They can be as easy or as elaborate as the makers wish. Anyone can grab a sock and draw on it with a Sharpie, but some people will make socks by felting, quilting or of course knitting. In fact, talkingfox's hubby is knitting socks with the XMRV virus molecule shape in them.
This morning talkingfox and I suggested the idea in a chat and the people there thought it was good, so I'm making this thread (with talkingfox's blessing) to carry the idea to you all and get feedback.
How socks would look:
Anyone who wants to could send in a sock in honor of a person with ME/CFS. The sock should have the person's name or nickname on it. Its decoration can express something about the person. Like AIDS quilt panels; which incorporate photos, embroidery, patchwork, beads, jewelry and all kinds of stuff; the socks can be wildly varied, and as simple or complex as their makers wish.
For display:
The individual socks would be attached to clothesline, like a garland. This could then be hung up at a conference or in a public place (with legal permits obtained, of course) the same way the AIDS quilt has been displayed laid out at the Washington DC mall and in 12 x 12 blocks at various venues worldwide.
Fundraising Potential
Just to start with, people might donate to the project, and small donations could help with everything from paying for shipping the sock-line here and there, and for display permits, to hosting a web site to publicize and coordinate the project. Additional funds raised would be donated to research and patient services projects. "Sock hops" could be held, where healthy people dance to raise funds. We would be "socking away the funds" for ME/CFS. Also, sale of socks with the XMRV virus (if appropriate) or other ME/CFS related logos could raise additional funds.
Grass Roots
This doesn't have to be a big huge project. It can start small and it can even stay small. I like it because it gives us something we can do. Those who can't decorate even a ready-made sock could submit their names, and people with lots of sock-making energy could make socks on their behalf. The image of the clothesline strung with bright, colorful, varied socks fills me with happiness and I hope will engage others, too.
Growth Potential
Given the number of people with ME/CFS in the world, this could grow huge. If it does, that's fine, too. We could have multiple clotheslines traveling the world, the same way the AIDS quilt has multiple quilted blocks traveling the world. Healthy friends and family, and occasionally-energetic PWCs, can contribute time and effort to keep it going.
Example
Check out the AIDS quilt for an example of how this can work. http://aidsquilt.org/index.htm
To Do List
Identify a point person to send socks to: must be willing to handle shipping.
Identify a venue for the first display of socks and arrange permits.
Create a website for the project.
Get the word out to advocates.
Make an email address for further info on the project: DONE! sockit2mecfs@gmail.com
Get feedback from Phoenix Rising folks.
Feedback
I now open this topic for your discussion. Please freely post suggestions, reservations, objections and wild enthusiasms.
Love,
Creek
Sock it to ME
for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Background:
I'd been impatient to DO something, to get more public awareness of ME/CFS, like, along the lines of how ACT-UP drew attention to AIDS.
I found Phoenix Rising and started feeling optimistic from the first day here. I knew I would find a project.
I was talking with talkingfox. She told me this:
Hillary Johnson, author of Osler's Web, has said that we need something like the AIDS quilt: something engaging and colorful and big to get positive attention.
And then talkingfox said, what about socks.
SOCKS???
SOCKS!!!
Dr. Bell, as talkingfox pointed out to me, has this saying when there's some really great research making him happy. He says, "It makes my socks go up and down."
So talkingfox was thinking, personalized socks, like regular socks you would wear or like Christmas stockings, would express the idea of comfort and coziness, caring for ME/CFS patients.
They can be as easy or as elaborate as the makers wish. Anyone can grab a sock and draw on it with a Sharpie, but some people will make socks by felting, quilting or of course knitting. In fact, talkingfox's hubby is knitting socks with the XMRV virus molecule shape in them.
This morning talkingfox and I suggested the idea in a chat and the people there thought it was good, so I'm making this thread (with talkingfox's blessing) to carry the idea to you all and get feedback.
How socks would look:
Anyone who wants to could send in a sock in honor of a person with ME/CFS. The sock should have the person's name or nickname on it. Its decoration can express something about the person. Like AIDS quilt panels; which incorporate photos, embroidery, patchwork, beads, jewelry and all kinds of stuff; the socks can be wildly varied, and as simple or complex as their makers wish.
For display:
The individual socks would be attached to clothesline, like a garland. This could then be hung up at a conference or in a public place (with legal permits obtained, of course) the same way the AIDS quilt has been displayed laid out at the Washington DC mall and in 12 x 12 blocks at various venues worldwide.
Fundraising Potential
Just to start with, people might donate to the project, and small donations could help with everything from paying for shipping the sock-line here and there, and for display permits, to hosting a web site to publicize and coordinate the project. Additional funds raised would be donated to research and patient services projects. "Sock hops" could be held, where healthy people dance to raise funds. We would be "socking away the funds" for ME/CFS. Also, sale of socks with the XMRV virus (if appropriate) or other ME/CFS related logos could raise additional funds.
Grass Roots
This doesn't have to be a big huge project. It can start small and it can even stay small. I like it because it gives us something we can do. Those who can't decorate even a ready-made sock could submit their names, and people with lots of sock-making energy could make socks on their behalf. The image of the clothesline strung with bright, colorful, varied socks fills me with happiness and I hope will engage others, too.
Growth Potential
Given the number of people with ME/CFS in the world, this could grow huge. If it does, that's fine, too. We could have multiple clotheslines traveling the world, the same way the AIDS quilt has multiple quilted blocks traveling the world. Healthy friends and family, and occasionally-energetic PWCs, can contribute time and effort to keep it going.
Example
Check out the AIDS quilt for an example of how this can work. http://aidsquilt.org/index.htm
To Do List
Identify a point person to send socks to: must be willing to handle shipping.
Identify a venue for the first display of socks and arrange permits.
Create a website for the project.
Get the word out to advocates.
Make an email address for further info on the project: DONE! sockit2mecfs@gmail.com
Get feedback from Phoenix Rising folks.
Feedback
I now open this topic for your discussion. Please freely post suggestions, reservations, objections and wild enthusiasms.
Love,
Creek
