[cgfc] off topic: the public square events, may 8-16

[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 8-16 and the general project 
description.

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

May 10, 4:00 PM, "Temporary Free Bike Shop," a bike repair skill 
share--bring your bike, the parts you need to fix it, and a desire to 
learn, Lincoln Square Mall parking lot, Urbana

May 11, 3:45 PM, "Talking Back to the Teacher," participation 
restricted to Urbana Middle School Students, a meeting of middle school 
students to create a system of teacher evaluation and feedback, Urbana 
Middle School

May 12, 5:30 PM, "Local Media, Why Bother?" an open conversation on the 
motivations, goals, and importance of local media and local publishing, 
WICD Television parking lot, 250 S. Country Fair, Champaign

May 13, 9:30 AM, "Guerilla Gardening," bring seeds, tools, and plant to 
the corner of University and Lincoln, Urbana

May 14, 5:30 PM, "'Self-Hating Jews?," an open conversation with and 
among Jewish Americans critical of Israel and/or Israeli policies, 
Hillel Foundation, 503 E. John, Champaign

May 15, 9:00 AM, "Authorized University of Illinois Students, Faculty, 
Staff, and Their Guests Only," Illini Union, Urbana

May 16, 12:00 PM, "The Public Square as Community," an end-of-project 
picnic, south west side of Crystal Lake Park, Urbana

 "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.