Material: Fabric

Bracelet free the vaccine / Manillas al estilo “Free the Vaccine”

Post author By Free the Vaccine for COVID-19
Post date November 7, 2020

Objective:

The bracelet was used as a tactic to reach our targets when we interviewed them, especially in Colombia

The Project:

The bracelet was made by using thread, bead necklace and a needle with the loom technique. It reads the “Free the vaccine” legend with its institutional colours. Many members of the team have made them to reach the targets as a tactic .

STRATEGIES:

TRY THIS:

Make one!

What worked?

It was an initiative that motivated some members of our blue-feet group to acquire new skills and to implement this initiative as a creative strategy to get closer to the targets through art.

About this project

Creators:

Jeimmy Katherine Ramírez Bermúdez
Nelly Esperanza Agreda
Laboratorio Blue-Feet Segunda temporada Free the Vaccine

November, 2020

Fabric

Colombia, Bogota

25×3 cmx 0,5 cm

Creative Commons BY-NC

Other Notes:

Taking into account the identity created through the FTV colours and logo, we have reinforced it by creating a sense of belonging in the making of this bracelet. Moreover, this initiative can be replicated and done it by any member of this campaign. Feel free to imitate this tactic! (SPOILER ALERT: You will be training your patience, and your craftivism :P)

The design or layout of the bracelet was elaborated by Nelly Esperanza Agreda. Also, she taught the technique “beaded loom bracelet” to two blue feet members in order to start working on the bracelets needed to reach the targets.

The work can be reproduced on site with instructions (provided)

Reflections from Jeimmy Katherine Ramírez Bermúdez

What was the process/journey of creating this work?

I wanted to learn how to create this type of bracelet since I was young, and the campaign gave me the opportunity to consider this idea and make it true. I think that the most beautiful part was the process of making the bracelet: getting the materials, being taught how to create it by a teammate and then, getting down to work. During the process, I felt like “a child with a new toy” in Christmas, I love doing these kinds of activities. I really felt a sense of fulfillment having learned something new that I could use in any field of my life.

What would be your next steps, building on this idea, if you had a million dollars and all the time and skills in the world?

I would like to set up a workshop/ Factory to create different products made by using bead necklace that would be related to the campaign. Bracelets, pendants, earrings with the bird shape, etc.… so many people around the world could get handcrafted objects of the campaign, especially all the members of FTV from all the seasons and every target that labs would try to reach out, among others.

Tags Be generous, Collaborate

Funk Rally Lab Coats

Post author By Free the Vaccine for COVID-19
Post date October 21, 2020

Objective:

The lab coats were part of a larger initiative part of the DC funk rally. The lab coats gave the impression of the scientific community attending the rally in support of health equity and the use of research for the public good. The aspect of color on the lab coats added to the “fun” and “fresh” element of the Funk Rally allowing for the rally to be more lighthearted.

The Project:

These are labcoats inspired by the 60s and 70s for the Washington D.C. Funk Rally held in October of 2020. The lab coats are adorned with flowers, health equity quotes, and slogans pushing the University of Maryland to support COVID-19 vaccine equity.

STRATEGIES:

TRY THIS:

Design your own lab coat.

Make it specific to your community.

What worked?

The color of the lab coat really added to the overall aesthetic of the funk rally and made for good pictures that are then used for publicizing the event and our message.

Other Notes:

The Funk Rally was held in Washington D.C. in October of 2020 to not only mourn the lives lost to COVID-19 but to celebrate the concept of life and ensuring that the living is able to get equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine in order to end the pandemic for all.

An original object can be provided for exhibition

Reflections from Tayyiaba Farooq

What was the process/journey of creating this work?

It was a fun and interesting learning experience for someone that does not have a background in art. I was able to draw inspiration from the art style of the 60s and 70s to create the flowers and color choice of the slogans and quotes used.

What skills or perspectives did the collaborators bring to this?

The collaborators served as amazing models for the labcoats and brought them to life. The labcoats wouldn’t be anything without the people to wear them.

What were some of the responses to this work?

All responses were really positive to the labcoats especially as a larger part of the Funk Rally. It added color to the rally and the pictures that were taken. Adding to the aesthetic and adding to the overall color and mood of the Free the Vaccine Campaign.

What would be your next steps, building on this idea, if you had a million dollars and all the time and skills in the world?

I would create a larger photo mural with individuals who are doctors and scientists who are advocates for the campaign. Doing indiviudal profiles on these people, telling their stories and their motivations will further add color and dtail to the campaign.

If someone else were going to make/use/do something like this, what advice would you give them?

Always plan out how you want to execute your idea before going into the final product. Going through the planning process further enhances the idea to be executed.

About this project

Creators:

Tayyiaba Farooq
Maanasa Gurram
Manahel Zahid
Victoria Carter
Alvina Pan

October, 2020

Fabric

United States, Washington

7 lab coats

Public Domain

Tags Collaborate, Connect with popular culture, Surprise!, Tell a different story

Gift Boxes for the Technical Transfer Office at the University of Texas

Post author By Dannie Snyder
Post date June 17, 2020

To target the Technical Transfer Office at the University of Texas, I decided to make a gift box. Representatives at the office were not responding to my emails or phone calls, so I decided to go with generous snail mail. The gift boxes I made included handmade masks with the Free the Vaccine logo on it and coffee cups with the University of Texas logo on them (except I changed their tagline from “What starts here changes the world” to “What starts here SAVES the world”. It also included beautiful flyer of the Open Covid Pledge, article from the World Health Organization advocating for the pledge, and an imaginary cover of TIME Magazine with UT Pharmacy’s faces (see images).

STRATEGIES:

TRY THIS:

Make a version for your target.

Objective:

The main objective was to get representatives from the Technical Transfer Office at the University of Texas to respond to me, so that we can start a discussion about the Open Covid Pledge, on how to pledge making their research for COVID-19 free / available to all and how to make their therapeutics for COVID-19 sustainably priced. My tactic was to take a generous approach, to show that the Austin community deeply cares about their researchers’ efforts in ending the pandemic.

About this project

Creators:

Dannie Snyder

June, 2020

Fabric, Image/graphic

United States, Austin

N/A

Public Domain

Download Original/High-Resolution File: IMG_6365-3.09.19-PM.jpg

What worked?

This was one of my first attempts to “craftivism,” as inspired by Sarah Corbett.

Other Notes:

An original object can be provided for exhibition
Original files can be provided for exhibition
The work can be reproduced on site with instructions (provided)

Reflections from Dannie Snyder

What was the process/journey of creating this work?

As mentioned above, I watched Sarah Corbett’s TED Talk on “craftivism”. This really inspired me to make a gift box for my targets. I did not really personalize the crafts to the targets themselves, but will try this the next time. Meaning, I will do more research on the targets – their interests, hobbies, history, etc. – and incorporate these elements into the crafts.

What were some of the responses to this work?

Unfortunately, I still did not get a response from the Technical Transfer Office. I actually cannot even confirm if they received the packages. Hence why I am considering sending another gift box…

Tags Be generous, Connect with popular culture, Surprise!

Will You Accept Our Dream?

Post author By Free the Vaccine for COVID-19
Post date May 31, 2020

Objective:

We mailed this to the office of a UCSD sleep researcher who has received substantial Covid-related funding and is very active on social media, hoping he would amplify our message.

The Project:

A deep blue sleep mask embroidered with the words “Sleeping well… a vaccine is free” sits on red felt inside a wooden box with a sliding lid. The lid is painted with the words “Will you accept our dream?”

STRATEGIES:

TRY THIS:

Make a version for your target.

Build a performance around it.

What worked?

We tailored this piece to this specific individual because he is a sleep researcher. It successfully taught us to consider our audience, although he did not respond.

About this project

Creators:

Eshita Garg
Eric Olson
Mary Clare Rietz
Jocelyn Edens
Zeph Fishlyn

May, 2020

Fabric, Wood

United States, San Diego

3x5x7″

Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

Other Notes:

Reflections from Zeph Fishlyn

What would be your next steps, building on this idea, if you had a million dollars and all the time and skills in the world?

Our next steps are continuing to target researchers and making more sleep eye masks. If I had a million dollars, it would be easier to get more (fancier) material to quickly roll out many more masks for the researchers. If I had all the time in the world, I would continue working on making the sleep eye masks non-stop and hope to get a bunch of people on board in helping us create these awesome, soft bundles of self-care!

If someone else were going to make/use/do something like this, what advice would you give them?

Teamwork makes the dream work! Feel free to take your time – homemade masks have an amazing feel to them and make it extremely personal for the researchers. Don’t be afraid to stalk your targets and create the masks specifically for them. Ask yourselves: what makes them unique and how can this mask reflect that? Research your targets and make sure to keep in touch with the targets throughout the process. We want them to be surprised and also for them to know we truly appreciate their work! We want the targets to rock those sleep eye masks and share our dream together.

Tags Be generous, Collaborate, Envision a better world, Evoke feelings, Get personal, Surprise!

Free the Vaccine Beaded Mask

Post author By Free the Vaccine for COVID-19
Post date May 23, 2020

Objective:

I made the mask as a conversation starter to bring discussion on the accessibility of a COVID vaccine into my day-to-day activities.

The Project:

An embroidered, beaded mask that says # Free the Vaccine in black thread, outlined with beads in green, yellow, and pink. The other side has a beaded syringe in black and blue beads.

STRATEGIES:

Surprise!

TRY THIS:

Make one.

What worked?

I think because the mask decorations are unconventional and sparkly, it has really grabbed attention and indeed started conversations about what the mask means.