A THOUGHT:
"The very last thing we need right now is a mindset of mutual distancing… We actually need to be thinking in the exact opposite way. Every hand that we don’t shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another must become a thought as to how we might help that other, should the need arise."
-Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky, in Forward
An Action (For the Assignment, scroll a little further):
In an effort to remain connected in an environment where the healthiest and safest action we take towards each other is to keep our distance, we’re calling forth the internet of times past. Back in the mid-aughts, Miranda July created a website that posted amusing, endearing, and occasionally heart-string-pulling assignments for us all to complete: Learning to Love You More (LTLYM). Sadly, the site ceased operating in 2009.
Over the next 14 days, we’re reassigning some of the classics (and perhaps some newbies) that you can do from home.
Every morning we’ll post a new “assignment” on our blog and to Facebook. All you will have to do is complete the assignment and send your documentation to friends@stoveworks.org and we’ll post it with the next day’s assignment!
FIRST Assignment: LTLYM’s Assignment #63
“Make an encouraging banner.
Think of something encouraging you often tell yourself. For example: Everything will be ok. Or: Don't listen to them. Or: It'll blow over. Now make a banner, making sure to follow these instructions:
1. Draw each letter of the sentence on a large piece of colored construction paper or big squares of fabric. One letter per piece. Draw them blocky so you can cut them out.
2. Cut them out.
3. Glue each one onto a piece of construction paper or fabric that is a contrasting color.
4. Then glue the edges of all the pieces of paper or fabric together to make a banner.
5. Hang the banner in a place where you or someone else might need some encouragement, for example, across your bathroom. Or between two trees so that you and your neighbors can receive encouragement from it. Or in a gas station.
D O C U M E N T A T I O N > Take a picture of your hung banner and send it to us (friends@stoveworks.org). After it has been up for awhile, take it down and roll it up and put it under your bed or another safe place. We might very likely contact you wanting to exhibit your banner in a show someday.”
Holly Robinson
Of Portland, OR from LTLYM’s original Banner (#63) open call. To see more click here.