m of care – mar 27 25

[https://museum.care/events/visual-assemblies-and-the-units-of-care-brainstorming-session/]:

Visual Assemblies and the Units of Care / Brainstorming session

14 here

On March 27th we will hold an online gathering for a brainstorming session about the new project — Care Units, or Units of Care, which is meant to be less of a drawing project and more of a large-scale visual public art initiative.

*visual assembly as map – added this page to try to start gathering visual assembly pages/rooms/meetings

We *imagine printing a huge map — possibly 10 meters wide — to cover a public space like Zuccotti Park. Along with it, we would print stickers, some blank and some pre-designed, allowing participants to map out what they see as care. This information would then be transferred to a digital map, with multiple layers of data visualization.

*from this page: The goal is to create a decentralized, evolving map of care, where people can actively participate, share, and build on each other’s efforts.This project is a way to rethink how we relate to one another, shifting focus from traditional political organizing to practical, everyday actions that foster mutual support and resilience.

city sketchup ness – a ginorm small ongoing/changing map.. i wish this was ness et al

Joining us will be friends from NYC and online, participants of the previous Visual Assemblies held at Interference Archive and MayDay Space, as well as members of other involved collectives. We are happy to invite into the discussion to activists, curators, and artists who would like to join us, whether in person or online.

We will share the notes and ideas from this session here in Museum of Care and across our social media. You can read the notes from the previous assemblies here: MayDay Space (February 4th), OBA/Amsterdam (February 20th).

notes from MayDay Space: One of the most interesting takeaways was that even if people from different political or social backgrounds had participated, their vision of a city would likely look very similar. No matter what, people want the same basic things—daycares, safe playgrounds, elderly care homes, clean air, and a reliable food system..Expanding the digital map by organizing and refining the work done during the meetings so it’s clear to those who weren’t there. The goal is to turn the map into an online platform where different groups can add their own layers and develop the project further.

notes from OBA/Amsterdam: Public spaces: ..endless parks—dog parks, cat parks, bicycle and skate parks.. “Outsiders”: Borders became another point of tension. Children debated whether “outsiders” should be allowed in, questioning who decides who belongs and who doesn’t. Would newcomers need permission to stay? Where would they live, and who would build their houses?.. One of the most heartwarming moments was when we discussed schools. When asked what schools should look like, the kids immediately agreed they should be “like a library.” They focused on what schools shouldn’t have: no homework, no pressure, and no grades. The Schools-Libraries they envisioned would be filled with animals, games, and endless fun..Some of the questions that remain: Who should pay for essentials like food? How should we handle poverty?

need to try a sabbatical ish transition

notes/quotes from meeting:

nika: to move from people that met.. and do it in a way that is more dispersed and developed farther.. more horizontal.. 1\ what if more than ie: aquarium.. then couldn’t be shut down from govt.. we should open it up.. let people invent themselves.. but include things that already exist.. ie print map of new york

this is how we started: https://www.candychang.com/i-was-this-was/ placed on buildings etc.. this is the online we used: city sketchup https://redefineschool.com/city-sketchup/

dmity pamfilov: to keep spammers out.. create diff layers.. give first layer to all.. we used free apps

nika: how to get people to do it.. do you think it’s durable

in person people: ie: giving person 100 dollars for project if put details on their site.. how do you get excited all the people not normally doing these.. to.. how to help people already doing it

nika: good ie of temp art spaces.. sheds.. how they could be facilitated by us.. lot of artists in big cities.. so like a distributed art exhibition.. maybe do the offline w big map.. presentation of stickers.. distribute and show it may look.. would it be good to do it in zucotti park.. would we need permission (people in person thought it wouldn’t work there)

leopoldi: i think we have to be really clear.. walking 2 diff paths.. 1\ reputable on own 2\ practical things w people there to carry them out for a while.. so critical mass bringing.. and other requires set up.. which is hard and not reputable.. and not necessary.. happening already.. the 2nd one is very ny specific.. we have to first answer this question.. how to advertise it.. depressing it has to be this way.. seed project got 2-3000 to help plant seeds.. people got money/free-stuff.. so need money et al.. so have to be very realistic

nika: so put something as framework.. we need people to come and invent this things that what is care.. unique and replicable..

in person: if becomes public.. do we have resources to give them..

nika: we can crowdsource and have partners.. and find people already doing that.. we collect money to help them.. direct resources to group(s).. attempt to bring in new tools for all of us to connect

in person: find other groups doing similar.. for ideas

oliver briggs: something around rest as well.. hammock or something positioned in urban space.. inventions that invite people to commune.. gather in interacting in public spaces is drastically needed in our time.. really excited about doing that here w other artistists (at beach).. and connecting to others doing it globally

in person: thinking benches best.. homeless could sleep there.. et al .. people doing diff small actions.. our authorities are very open to that.. as long as we suggest them.. they tend to be favorable..

stas: on prison art et al

mark: beautiful for reentry rehab

nika: so what are next steps

ulja: i have a question about gathering ideas.. a lot of people might be interested in sharing ideas.. but how can they? forms, comments, .. before we begin.. how to get as many ideas as possible.. with photos? how to do that

someone said sub reddit..

nika: important to not become some preferable place.. open for everyone..

ulja: also how to do interventions in highly policed/monitored city

rob zagler: begin of refugee crisis in greece.. so this was main thing to provide food/dentist/paper-work.. 2 yrs i participated it was always like that.. to give a little structure.. offer classes.. get language.. young and powerful/smart.. came from unis.. powerful in fundraising and organising.. ie: deliver food by bike