#creative protest

[ninja-knox-ur-sox-off]

I dunno what Pigsy was expecting to happen when he hugged a touch-starved monkey

were i not constrained by the limits of my computer i would have a great deal more of these

[myfootyrthroat]

Ok, so a campus group that has been talking about our University being 'fascist' for their extremely mild response to protests (they locked 2 buildings for a day, like 4 people were arrested) are now talking about how new campus gathering rules will make it impossible to organize. (Gatherings of over 100 require a permit, signs can't be larger than 24", no permanent structures).

I say this with all due respect, but... If you're doing civil disobedience, just break the rules you fucking wimps.

[toastedcinnamonflakes]

"You really like him, huh?" Ivan asked, trying to sound entirely disinterested, but he could not prevent a certain biting tone.

"No", Pyotr said. His head was leaning against the wall, tipped back a little. He looked worryingly pale.

"Then what -"

"I don't like him", Pyotr interrupted, his voice just a little strained. He swallowed as if in pain, looked at the ceiling, his eyes darting around. "I don't LIKE him. I just think... I think, out of all of us, Nikolai is closest to god, because he is the only one who can properly mirror god's endless indifference. They say god is justice - but really. Forgiving even the most brutal of crimes, even the most heinous of sins - that is not justice, or love. That is indifference." He huffed out a laugh. It sounded sarcastic, but Ivan could hear the pain beneath it. Physical or psychological, that was hard to tell. "And Nikolai is nothing if not indifferent."

****

That sentence about Stavrogin and God both being indifferent was something I recently found in my notes. I'm thinking of writing a fanfic in which this scene would take place. I wonder, would anybody be interested?

[leolaroot]

ill be in the middle of playing dolls going lalalala yayayay and they gay kissed ! and then see somepony mischaracterize a little Too hard and suddenly im all done playinb toys now. 😐 you made it lame dude.

[marlocandeea]

there's all this pushing for greatness in our society, but it's a lot easier if it's a cookie cutter success we want. do what other people do to have what they have. the road is paved, the methods tried and tested.

but if you want what only you have, within, to bring it with-out, into the world, then greater limits will come your way, great indifference. and yet, great freedom from judgment: results are not a moral standard. missing out on something which didnt found its way to greater fulfillment is a two-way loss for the world and the giver and maybe, not a loss at all. the dreamworld has its own patronage too. more miracles are performed in dreams, more curses sent and mountain halls found, more wars and peaces are made in dreams than we can think of.

[somketv]

Do not let those bastards win-- you are not small and sweet and easily digestible for them. You are a wildfire.

Burn like it.

[maked-artyshenanigans]

Controversial comment here - I think the act of throwing things at famous paintings (that are in protective casings) as a form of protest is kinda genius.

They're not damaging the works, they're creating a showy performance that doesn't hurt anyone or leave lasting damage, and they are bringing attention to their protest as it's controversial enough that it will attract engagement.

Art (even in the casing) will be cleaned by art handlers, and the surrounding areas will be cleaned by janitors who will undoubtedly be trained on the protocols surrounding working within the vicinity of infamous pieces.

All the way up the chain, people are hired to minimise potential damage to pieces - from managing the before to dealing with the after - and there is no better way to draw attention to a cause than using notoriety and profit as a bargaining chip. Not hiring employees with the adequate training is not an option, as that runs the risk of artwork getting damaged/destroyed/stolen/etc. Not allowing individuals to see or experience the artworks is *also* out of the question, as this would spark mass outrage.

At worst, art may experience real damage that cannot be undone. This is unlikely, especially considering the technologies involved in preventative and restoration measures.

At best, janitors up to art restorers are somewhat inconvenienced with an additional chore within their job; you could even argue that this method of protests generates income for individuals lower in the ranks of capital.

As far as protests go, this method is exceptionally safe as it does not impose any obstructions to the safety and wellbeing of any party included (looking at you, Insulate Britain....)

One thing I *do* dislike about this as a form of protest is that it feels somewhat aimless. What is the link between superficial "destruction" of famous art pieces and the cause being highlighted? Who is this demonstration targeting? Is any one group or individual being strongarmed into making an active change? And, why are those messages not being conveyed effectively?

The groups who have engaged with demonstrations such as this haven't quite established the links between their cause and the target(s), but I do think that this method could be applied in a multitude of different ways and genuinely believe that this has been slated so harshly as the promise it holds is insurmountable.

Final note: When critiquing protests, take the time to evaluate *why* you like/dislike every facet and encourage yourself to engage with critical thinking in the grey zone - nothing is black and white.

[amoralcrackpot]

"We can't have these kids thinking they're going to change anything for the better," said one officer.

[clumsydoodles]

solidarity

[axelofthekey]

I wrote this piece for class, and submitted it to publication journal in the hopes of seeing it there. It was rejected, and so I have decided to share this here because it's a story I want to tell.

[poetryparnassus]

Throwing Rocks

Like throwing rocks into the ocean. That's the struggle with protest, such big intentions, such little impact, but like a rock in ocean, it creates a wave. We create a wave. A wave that can ride intentions, a wave of change. Like geese flying south for the winter or worms unearthing during a thunderstorm The wave might not be uniform, it won't be. it can't be. It goes everywhere, a large ever expanding pottery dish filling every nook and cranny, like sand at the beach. And sand is not comfortable, it itches, and its hard to get rid of. So is change. Waves are not meant to feel comfortable, they are meant to lift you to new heights. See beyond the horizon. So when your rock hits the water, be patient, and let the wave grow.

[abirdie]

Gael García Bernal in También la lluvia (2010, dir. Icíar Bollaín)

(these gifs also feature Luis Tosar and the back of Cassandra Ciangherotti's head)

Gifs are all 540px wide so you can click to see larger.

[other gael filmography gifsets]

[austin-friars]

Mine

[park-bench-poet]

Book of Ruth

All I have ever been is willing. 

I wear my fingers to the bone but 

there is never enough

work for these hands. 

I am ready to believe if you 

would just tell me what god to kneel to-- 

give me a place and I will go there,

give me a direction and I will walk,

give me a new name and I will answer.

.

My arms can hold enough wheat 

to feed us all winter.

I will wring myself out in the fields

and the daily death of sunset

will make me fresh again.

Please don’t worry,

like an overripe orchard,

I need to be harvested.

I can be both the fire and the fuel 

as long as I am keeping someone warm.

.

I spend all my nights awake–

what need have I for rest?

I have seen your lantern burning too

and it takes all my strength to keep

my wanderings from ending at your door.

Oh, stay up with me on the threshing floor,

pluck these fruits in the darkness!

Let me scrape the loneliness off

your skin with my strong fingers.

I am so good at suffering, please

let me do some of yours for you. 

.

I don’t even want a corner of your 

cloak to wrap around myself.

There is no one else waiting,

there is only me in the darkness.

Take my shawl and lay back;

I am not asking you to redeem me

or make me whole,

just let me fall asleep at your feet. 

[shrinkrants]

We oppose the mono-culture in the broadest terms: consumerism, militarism and capitalism’s attack on nature. We focus our energy on hyper local issues and global ones, and they often intersect.  We often work in coalition but we also approach things alone and very much on our own terms. We confront and contend with racism and economic inequality within our own community and organize with the understanding that both are at the heart of nearly every issue. We work for the Earth.

Check out Reverend Billy and his crew and their mission. The most fun you ever had while advocating for Mother Earth and economic equity.

[marypsue]

If I were lucky enough to attract a loyal following of goths, I would simply not slag off the subculture in interviews in a desperate and pathetic attempt to get the mainstream to consider me a real artist. RIP to every musician goths have ever loved but I'm different.