PAPA

PAPA is the acronym for Positive Action Performace Art!!! On Saturday the 25th of february 2007, this name was created and marked for the type of demonstrative art that is encountered on a daily basis all over the world. We campaign for Human Rights and use Art to express how strongly we feel about these vital issues.Here is what one of our team is working on at the moment: I am 26 years old, a mother, a partner, an art student, and I work in a fair trade shop part-time. I have always had a longing inside me to do something to help our worlds 'family' of people. I am a person who believes that every person counts and that each individual can make a difference in the lives of millions. At college, our new module is called a Thematic Project, the theme being issues-based. We were given a list of some very broad headings to do some initial investigation and research on. We were also handed a copy of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to read. I looked over the issues and just saw how they were all related so deeply and that all issues as a whole need to be addressed. But easier said than done. And how was I going to create a piece of art that conveys my feeling about this. I had however overheard a few weeks before some very interesting gossip at the bike sheds, “We are going to have a Starbucks in our new college campus" the canteen worker said to the admin assistant " wicked" she said, "yeah, with leather seats and everything" said the canteen worker. "Oh my god", thought me as I locked up my bike. I couldn’t believe that nobody in Stroud knew about this. The half-term came around the corner without giving me a chance to talk to the student union, so I couldn't get any questions answered regarding this decision. I know now that Starbucks has started to see the light, but at the time, I was ready to fight! I started by writing a song about Starbucks and fair trade and contacted some local hip hop producers to see if we could do a few sessions in the studio to work out a track to accompany my lyrics. They said they would be happy to get on board in the fight against corporate evil. I have also asked then to headline a benefit gig to raise awareness and funds for Amnesty International, and they said they would be delighted. May the 4th be with you 2007 7-late @ The SPACE, Lansdown Road. So I started thinking about what could I do to get some inspiration for my art piece? Well, I turned to the Ra Ra Radicals, radical cheerleaders across the globe that cheer for anti-globalisation, anti-war, anti- bush, animal rights, anti-corporation, pro-environment, climate change, ethical values. I felt inspired to utilize as many forms of mixed-media that I have recently learned about. Using my acquired skills to successfully push forward my campaign. Performance Art is the medium I have always been most attracted to and based my idea of a 'pep' rally around it, with our squad of radicals, cheering for the farmers and producers rights, during lunch time when all the college will be able to join us with audience participation and letting corporate companies know we don't support them and if they don't support us in our communities and the communities who really need our help, then we won't stop or go until they acknowledge us and the reason behind our actions, and then by agreeing that they are responsible for what they do and the choices they make and that it's never to late to say sorry and make a change, and try again!!! Organising a Benefit Gig on Friday May 4th @ The Space, Lansdown Road, stroud. We are focusing on Human Rights and all money raised will go to Amnesty International. /a