[cgfc] announcement: The Public Square events, May 2-9

[Sarah Kanouse]

--Please forward widely--

If you could make a claim to public space for public needs, what would 
you do?

  "The Public Square is a series of events and broadcasts designed to 
make claims to public spaces as places to consider and discuss the 
issues that affect our lives.  The project runs April 24-May 16th.  
Below is a listing of events May 2-9 and the general project 
description.

May 2, 2:00 PM, "Reclaiming the Faith: Progressive Christianity Today," 
an open conversation, NE Corner of University and Wright, Champaign

May 3, 12:00 PM, "Open Science and the Commercialized University," an 
open conversation, South Research Park, St. Mary's and First Street, 
Champaign

May 4, 12:00 PM,  "Readings from the Cell Block," a reading of 
prisoner's writings, Downtown Detention Facility, 204 E. Main, Urbana

May 5, 5:30 PM, "Perimeters + Parameters: a walk along political and 
ecological margins," meet at the Krannert Art Museum, 500 E. Peabody, 
Champaign

May 6, 5:30 PM, "Participatory Publishing: A Meeting of The Public I," 
an open meeting of the coordinator of a free, monthly newspaper, 15 
Main Street, Champaign

May 7, 12:00 PM, "Why Pay Full Price (for what you can give away for 
free)?," a giveaway of reclaimed food, 5th and Green, Champaign

May 8, 3:00 PM, "Barterplace Mall," an exchange of used clothing--bring 
old but good clothing to barter with others, Marketplace Mall seating 
area near Sears, Champaign

May 9, 2:30 PM, "The Public Square as Art: MFA Program Final Critique," 
participation restricted to affiliates of the School of Art and Design, 
Krannert Art Museum, 500 E. Peabody, Champaign.

 "The Public Square"  is an attempt to create both physical and virtual 
locations in Champaign-Urbana for public participation on a range of 
political, social, and cultural topics.  Each day, for the duration of 
the MFA exhibit at the Krannert Art Museum (April 24-May 16), a public 
discussion, workshop, walk, or other event will occur public places 
related to the topic addressed.  Individuals will be invited to join 
the event either formally or informally; others will doubtless happen 
upon the discussion and perhaps stay awhile.  The events will activate 
the nominally public spaces in which they take place, infusing them 
with lively debate, public activity, or political participation, 
drawing attention to what usually doesn't take place in them while 
suggesting what those spaces might become.  At the same time, the 
events will be broadcast on the radio and archived online so that 
people who were not able to experience them in physical public space 
might find them over the public airwaves or on the internet.  The 
project website is www.thepublicsquare.net.

I am compiling an email list to invite individuals to the daily events. 
  Please email info at thepublicsquare.net to be added to the list.