Objective:
Pressure Moderna to release taxpayer-funded research products and knowledge (namely, the safe, effective, life-saving vaccine “recipe”) to the public in order to promote global manufacturing and support efforts to end the pandemic.
The Project:
In creating a twist on this popular holiday carol, this new song deals with themes of social, political, and cultural criticisms that allow us to reflect on topics that call medical research institutions to action and force them to take morality, ethics, and the human condition into deeper consideration.
TRY THIS:
Sing it – even out of season
Revise the lyrics
What worked?
This song offered people a way to not only learn about how Moderna has contributed to the evil perpetuation of the vaccine apartheid, but this also offers people a way to engage in activism though caroling themselves or sharing videos produced by other leadership teams/choirs. With piano sheet music included, any group of people can sing along and add their voices to this platform.
Other Notes:
With the first version of this song focused on a satirical reflection of the state of the world, our second and final version of the song was enhanced with team-based efforts to improve its educational qualities and incite greater public outrage at the moral failings of Moderna as well as other general issues with the way Big Pharma operates in our society.
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A set of instructions exists on how to make this work
- Original files can be provided for exhibition
- The work can be reproduced on site with instructions (provided)
Reflections from Madeline Chung
If someone else were going to make/use/do something like this, what advice would you give them?
Every voice is powerful, and bringing about positive transformation in the world begins when we start using our voices. Individuals working together in solidarity can find new ways to become empowered, and with the power that is found in numbers, we can create meaningful, lasting changes in society that will enhance the lives of people surrounding us. Think big, and push for the changes that you want to see in the world.
About this project
Creators:
- Madeline Chung, MBE
- Laura Holzman
December, 2021
Image/graphic, Online/web thing, Performance, Print, Video, Writing
United States, Cleveland
11×5 inches
Download Original/High-Resolution File: Free-the-Vaccine-Group-Project.pdf
Objective:
By sending out the mentioned memes as a postcard, we wanted to encourage politicians (mostly MEPs), already smpathizing with the idea of supporting the TRIPS-Waiver, in a positive kind of way to post more about their support and hence increase public pressure.
The Project:
In our squad we created funny memes, ironically describing current (european) patent policy or politicians behaviour, whilst pointing out more equitable and efficient solutions that help end the pandemic sooner, for example supporting the TRIPS-Waiver. These were then sent out to MEPs/politicians with an attached letter, to make them state publically their support for TRIPs-Waiver.
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Share them on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine
Make one!
What worked?
The memes were reposted by some NGOs and we also got some positive feedback from a few MEPs. In addition, it helped us a lot to try out Craftivism and using positive vibes to criticize.
Reflections from Elise Potthoff
What was the process/journey of creating this work?
The idea was created during the time when the container ship “Ever Given” was stuck in the Suez Channel and social media was flooded with memes about it. Therefore we also created one meme with this background.
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?
Flood every politician with a postcard specifically adapted to her/his statements on the TRIPS-topic with a picture of him/her as base of the meme. Also the memes could be printed out largely as big posters to be hung up in public area.
If someone else were going to make/use/do something like this, what advice would you give them?
It would be also good to try targetting MEPs from the “other side”, not convinced of the TRIPS-Waiver yet. Of course, different texts on the memes could be helpful and also a different letter attached to it. But the procedure could be the same.
About this project
Creators:
- Samira Shair
- Ludovico Caminati
- Kathi Wolfenstetter
- Maanasa Gurram
- Hannah Dawson
- Max Wielenga
- Alessia Gonfroid
- Julia Billian
- Johanna Twittenhoff
- Owen Lukins
- Sophie Tragert
- Elise Potthoff
April, 2021
Image/graphic, Online/web thing, Print, Writing
Germany, Munster
148mm x 105mm
Objective:
The objective of this tactic was to get at least 15 people educated/involved per flyer put up by either scanning the QR code or taking a slip.
The Project:
This flyer uses the template of a Missing Person flyer to draw attention, and then seeks to quickly educate people regarding patents and pharmaceutical corporations. The QR code links to the Free the Vaccine website, and the slips on the bottom are a location-specific number (in this case, a California senator).
TRY THIS:
Make it specific to your community.
Report the missing vaccine.
What worked?
We are still in the testing phase of putting these flyers up, but will update on how it goes! 🙂
Reflections from Daria Bazzi
What skills or perspectives did the collaborators bring to this?
Everything from bolding certain words, adding a shared value statement (“Everyone Deserves a Shot!”), making sure I specified Covid-19 vaccine, changing “Pharmaceutical Companies” to “Pharmaceutical Corporations,” the idea to make slips people could take, and more, all came from others who took the time to give me great feedback!
If someone else were going to make/use/do something like this, what advice would you give them?
I would love it if people in different locations changed the number on the slips to make it more location-specific, and if they thought a link to another website would be more effective in their community, I would recommend they change the QR code, as well! Also, translation of the text might be in order to get the message across more effectively.
About this project
Creators:
- Daria Bazzi
- Heloise Widdig
- Carly Besser
- Defne Zuhal Yorgancioglu
- Franziska Gartner
- Rachel Gita Karp
- Shivesh Shourya
March, 2021
United States, Los Angeles
2550 x 3300 px
Download Original/High-Resolution File: MissingVaccine_Flyer_v04_BIG.jpg
Objective:
To connect the current pandemic to the legacy of Jonas Salk
The Project:
An essay about the history of loss, and the importance of a free vaccine.
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Share it on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine
Write an essay for a local publication.
What worked?
I really liked how the pictures and the essay made it more personal.
About this project
Creators:
- Kisha Patterson
November, 2020
United States, Pittsburgh
8 1/2 X 11
Download Original/High-Resolution File: Vilomah.edited.201119.docx-1.pdf
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Original files can be provided for exhibition
Reflections from Kisha Patterson
Objective:
We wanted to make our targets aware of the Free the Vaccine campaign and the Open COVID Pledge. We invited them for a conversation with us.
The Project:
The Thank You Cards were sent out to researchers as an appreciation of their work and efforts in investigating COVID-19. The Free the Vaccine campaign and the Open COVID Pledge was then introduced with a text tailored towards the recipient.
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Print it and send it!
What worked?
The Thank You Cards highlight the important work that the researchers have been doing, thanking them for their efforts without pressuring them.
About this project
Creators:
- Simbie Yau
- Heloise Widdig
- Magali Heijkoop
- Defne Zuhal Yorgancioglu
- Katharina Wolfenstetter
November, 2020
Hungary, Budapest
1890 × 2522 pixels
Download Original/High-Resolution File: Thank-You-Card-1.jpg
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Original files can be provided for exhibition
Reflections from Katharina Wolfenstetter
What was the process/journey of creating this work?
We wanted to find a way to contact our targets that wasn’t just an email.
Kasia told us about her lab’s action from season 1, where they identified “Covid research champions” and sent letters to thank them for their work and bring their attention to the Open Covid Pledge. We decided this would be a great way to contact our targets.
We discussed the fact that people love to get compliments and positive feedback about their work and how this would be the best way to our targets into a conversation. Starting a conversation on a negative note is likely not to be effective.
We decided to design a Thank You card with a bright and snappy message on the front and a simple, tailored letter on the other. In the tailored letter we referred to their specific work, achievement, and institution.
What skills or perspectives did the collaborators bring to this?
Simbie worked on the artistic input and brought together the amazing layout. The other collaborators worked on the targeting of specific researchers.
Objective:
Create language to support the larger goal of ensuring that publicly funded COVID meds are available to everyone, sustainably priced, and free at the point of delivery.
The Project:
This a slogan anyone can use in the campaign for a People’s Vaccine.
TRY THIS:
Put it on a poster.
Share it on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine
What worked?
It’s short and sweet. The wordplay of “for good” positions accessible COVID medicine as both effective and morally necessary.
About this project
Creators:
- Free the Vaccine for COVID-19
August, 2020
,
5 words
Objective:
Broaden the reach of Free the Vaccine and its Columbia action and get members of the Columbia community to support it by signing the Open Covid Pledge.
The Project:
An article about Free the Vaccine, the need for its work, and specific activism focused on Columbia University in the City of New York.
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Write an essay for a local publication.
What worked?
The Columbia Political Review was very excited to publish an article on this topic and alert its readers to critical medicine access and equity issues around COVID-19. The author was likewise excited to learn about the many intricacies of the issues, write about them, and share the article with her Columbia network and her networks at large.
About this project
Creators:
July, 2020
United States, New York
2,100 words
Other Notes:
- The work can be reproduced on site with instructions (provided)
Links:
Reflections from Rachel Gita Karp
What was the process/journey of creating this work?
I knew very little about medicine access and equity issues before joining Free the Vaccine. Weekly FTV meetings gave me a strong initial understanding, but I spent weeks researching a ton more before I felt like I could be any kind of authority and write about the problems that have and will arise around COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. It was challenging to learn so much about something so new, but I’m very grateful to have gained this understanding and to continue to share it beyond this article.
What were some of the responses to this work?
I posted about the article on my social media and had lots of people from college respond in support of it. Even people I hadn’t had much interaction with since graduating (a decade ago) liked it or commented on it. As reaching the Columbia community was the goal, that felt like a huge success.
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?
A few ideas: Following up with each and every person I know who went to Columbia and making them read the article and sign the Open Covid Pledge. Hosting a panel or panel series at Columbia in which some of the people quoted in the article talk about the need for open licensing around COVID research and ensuring all testing, treatment, and vaccines are available to all and free at the point of delivery. Having all of these people send the article to Columbia administration and demand they sign the Open Covid Pledge.
Objective:
Create a way for individuals to show their support for the Open Covid Pledge, build public support for the campaign.
The Project:
An image people can post on social media to encourage others to support the Open Covid Pledge. It underscores that COVID meds should be considered a public good.
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Share it on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine
Design it differently.
What worked?
The phrase “Public. Good.” makes an important, concise point about how we should be thinking about COVID tests, treatments, and vaccines.
About this project
Creators:
- Laura Holzman
- Fiona Davey
- Rebecca Bray
- Other Free The Vaccine contributors who gave feedback on the Salk Labs forum
July, 2020
Image/graphic, Online/web thing, Writing
United States, Indianapolis
variable
Download Original/High-Resolution File: PublicGood_AFreeOneCan_IG_pink-2.png
Other Notes:
- Original files can be provided for exhibition
Reflections from Laura Holzman
What skills or perspectives did the collaborators bring to this?
This image came out of a big exchange of ideas in the DogOwl squad on the Salk Labs forum. I had been using the tag line “Public. Good.” for a poster, and Fiona was working with the rejoinder about how a vaccine alone can’t end the pandemic but a free one can. Rebecca put them together and added a syringe. We had a great exchange about how to make the syringe look beneficial, not scary, which informed the choice of colors here and the decision to use the syringe to underline the key phrase.
Objective:
Create language to support the larger goal of ensuring that publicly funded COVID meds are available to everyone, sustainably priced, and free at the point of delivery.
The Project:
This a slogan anyone can use in the campaign for a People’s Vaccine.
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Put it on a poster.
Use it in your writing.
Share it on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine
What worked?
It makes its point concisely. It’s also flexible enough to be useful in different contexts related to the campaign.
About this project
Creators:
- Free the Vaccine for COVID-19
June, 2020
,
7 words
Objective:
The goal of the postcard was to get the attention of Pittsburgh researchers (and some administration staff), in order to start a conversation/rally some support for the Open Covid Pledge. We all know how easy it is to ignore emails these days, and we thought the personalized design and hand-written messages would be a better way to get through to our targets.
The Project:
An XL, originally-designed postcard. One side has “Bridge The Gap” along with the Free The Vaccine logo printed at the top. Below there is a typical Pittsburgh bridge and the Cathedral of Learning building. On the bridge walks a researcher holding a syringe (presumably with a COVID vaccine inside). She is giving the vaccine to the public, who is displayed by a series of hands reaching up. The other side also has the FTV logo and says “Pittsburgh: Home of Vaccines for the People!” There is a a short blurb about the Salk legacy and the Open Covid Pledge, and then blank space for a hand-written message!
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Print some and send them.
Make it specific to your community.
What worked?
Crafting the message on the back of the card was a helpful exercise. By forcing ourselves to condense our message into a short few sentences, we were able to see more clearly exactly why and what we want from our targets.
About this project
Creators:
June, 2020
United States, Pittsburgh
5.5 x 8.5 inches
Download Original/High-Resolution File: FTV-postcard-6-20-v2-1.pdf
Other Notes:
Links:
Reflections from Mahima Arya
What skills or perspectives did the collaborators bring to this?
Each of the collaborators brought a different set of skills to designing this postcard. Some of us are Pittsburgh locals, and knew how to best capture some of the classic features of the city. Some of us have experience in design, and helped with the graphics of the card. And some of us contributed to the text on the back of the card, to make sure we could quickly and effectively get our message across.