Missing Vaccine

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

Image/graphic, Writing

United States, Los Angeles

2550 x 3300 px

Public Domain

Download Original/High-Resolution File: MissingVaccine_Flyer_v04_BIG.jpg

Jonas Salk Around The World

Objective:

With this Jonas Salk sketch we would like to encourage you and as many other people as possible to print out the sketch and take a picture of Jonas Salk in front of a landmark, a place special to you or a beautiful place in your surroundings. Much like the extremely successful Flat Stanley project more than 25 years ago. By spreading the word on social media, you can encourage others to do the same, help carry on Salk’s legacy, and remind people of a role model who prioritized people’s well-being over profit.

The Project:

We have depicted Jonas Salk in his role as a role model in vaccine development and distribution in a cartoon-like drawing. This eye-catching and charming design is intended to help spread Salk’s scientific and philosophical spirit and create a distinctive recognition value.

TRY THIS:

Make your own Flat Salk and help him visit your favorite places.

Share it on social media #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine

What worked?

All the wonderfully kind and human values of Jonas Salk can be perfectly reflected in a cartoon-like style.

Other Notes:

1) Print the sketch
2) Glue it on cardboard or thicker paper
3) Cut out the outline of Jonas Salk
4) Take a picture with the cutout in front of a landmark, a place important to you, or a beautiful place in your neighborhood
5) Share the photo on social media and get more people to do the same

    A set of instructions exists on how to make this work
  • An original object can be provided for exhibition

Links:

Reflections from Calvin Dunker

What was the process/journey of creating this work?

Since other drawings in this cartoon-like style had already been created by unrelated projects, all that was needed was an agreement on the elements that would appear. The many iconic images of Salk as a scientist during the successful approval of the vaccine served as a rough template.

What skills or perspectives did the collaborators bring to this?

Mareike Bielok was responsible for the drawing and the underlying cartoon-like style. Calvin Dunker prepared the rough concept and the elements to be displayed.

What were some of the responses to this work?

Very positive feedback and already first photos in front of landmarks.

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?

Produce an animation series with cartoon Jonas Salk traveling around the world. Organize airplane banners covering all the beaches in the world. Pay very famous people who can’t be convinced by the message behind the image to share pictures of themselves, the Jonas Salk cutout and famous landmarks on their social media channels.

About this project
Creators:
  • Calvin Dunker
  • Mareike Bielok

March, 2021

Image/graphic, Print

Germany, Munster

3024 x 4032 pixels

Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

Download Original/High-Resolution File: Salk-.png, Salk-Outline.png

Our vaccine

Objective:

We want people to take a stand against vaccine nationalism by signing the European Citizen’s Initiative.

The Project:

Our video shows the contrast of our new reality during the pandemic and how life could be if we were all vaccinated. However not everyone has access to the vaccine. By supporting the European Citizen’s Initiative we can change that and make sure this pandemic ends.

TRY THIS:

Share it on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine

What worked?

Our video was shared by the official Instagram account of the initiative.

Other Notes:

It was the first project from us as a group.

    Original files can be provided for exhibition

Links:

Reflections from Julia Billian

What skills or perspectives did the collaborators bring to this?

Based on our idea we had to find fitting pictures. Then we put them in a video format, edited the video and added music and sound effects as well as the voiceover.

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?

Actually using the video as a commericial that would be played on TV would be great.

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

Have someone on your team who is a really good editor :D. Just kidding. As long as you find the resources, so where to look for free pictures, music and video clips and have a good idea, you will be fine. There are a lot of tools out there that can help you.

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

March, 2021

Video

Belgium, Brussels

1 min

Creative Commons BY

#3Rivers2Shots1PGH

Objective:

The objective of this project was to promote vaccine uptake among the Pittsburgh community. This digital design was created for applications such as stickers and event backdrops to be used at a COVID vaccine events and through digital media proliferation.

The Project:

In this digital design, #3Rivers2Shots1PGH text is paired with simple, clean imagery that defines each component of the hashtag. Within the digital design, there are two large syringes that symbolize the two shots for the COVID vaccine; these syringes act as two towers supporting Pittsburgh’s famous Andy Warhol bridge. Beneath the bridge are three strokes of wavy lines, which are representative of the three rivers of Pittsburgh

TRY THIS:

Share it on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #3Rivers2Shots1PGH

Make your own!

What worked?

The element of this project that I found to be most successful was the integration of the two syringes upholding the golden Andy Warhol bridge. It’s symbolism could be interpreted many ways, but I see it as representing how communal COVID vaccine uptake is vital to upholding and maintaining the city’s health and safety, just as the towers of a bridge are crucial to upholding the structure.

Other Notes:

As part of our efforts through Free the Vaccine, we were working with Pittsburgh’s Community Vaccine Collaborative (CVC). The CVC is a multi-disciplinary, diverse community and academic collaboration to address trustworthiness of vaccines and equitable vaccine distribution. The CVC is a partnership with researchers, clinicians, and social scientists at UPMC’s Children’s Hospital, University of Pittsburgh, and Chatham University, and organizations including Neighborhood Resilience Project, Casa San Jose, UrbanKind Institute, and Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh.

    Original files can be provided for exhibition

Reflections from Elizabeth Lusardi

What was the process/journey of creating this work?

While working as an immersive media studio assistant at Chatham University with Joseph Amodei, I was given the opportunity to use my artistic skills to create a logo to promote COVID vaccine uptake in the Pittsburgh community.

What were some of the responses to this work?

Members of the Community Vaccine Collaborative in Pittsburgh found this image to be a great way to connect the ideas of vaccination to the specific locale of Pittsburgh.

About this project
Creators:

January, 2021

Image/graphic

United States, Pittsburgh

3339 x 2576 pixels

Creative Commons BY

Download Original/High-Resolution File: Primary-image-2.tif

All I want for Christmas…

Objective:

The objective of the work was to find a playful and timely way to encourage people to head to the free the vaccine website and support the open covid pledge by signing it.

The Project:

The Kookaburra group created a giant inflatable syringe in season 1. At the end of this season we turned the action of blowing it up into the performance. Dressed in Santa and elf costumes we set up a santa’s workshop down by the Yarra River. In the video you will see Santa and the elves busy building a giant inflatable syringe to fulfil an Xmas letter to Santa. Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is a free vaccine big enough for the whole world!

TRY THIS:

Make it in your community.

Connect with another holiday.

What worked?

The crowd engagement was an unexpected highlight. We had a group of children helping with one of the guy ropes as we controlled the giant puppet like syringe. They asked some fabulous questions and were really curious. My favourite comment came from a child only about 10 years old: is this an Elon Musk project?

About this project
Creators:
  • Tessa Marshall
  • Greg Giannis
  • Zan griffith

December, 2020

Performance

Australia, Melbourne

video of an action

Creative Commons BY

Link to Original or High-Res file

Other Notes:


The syringe was made by Greg Giannis in Season One. I thought it was a feat of engineering. He removed his car battery to power the inflation.

    Original files can be provided for exhibition

Links:

Reflections from zan griffith

What was the process/journey of creating this work?

This work was building on the work done in Season 1. In Season one, Greg and Tessa built an inflatable syringe but due to Melbourne lockdown never got an opportunity to launch it. This Christmas themed work was the second time the syringe had been launched and it was also the first time all participants had met in person. The Christmas theme was a way to package up the filming of the syringe in a playful and timely manner.

What skills or perspectives did the collaborators bring to this?

All the collaborators brought a sense of fun and flexibility to the action. Greg Giannis was the mastermind behind the inflatable syringe. With his background in engineering he created it so that it could be inflated from the power of a car battery. Tessa Marshall as a medical doctor created the brochures that we handed out at the action. Zan, who loves a ‘dress tip’ organised the signs and costumes.

What were some of the responses to this work?

We had a lot of interest from children and in the process of inflating the syringe we drew quite a crowd.There was a definite sense of fun and curiosity from the crowd. the video of the event was edited and put on instagram with positive responses.

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 Giant Syringe Blimp to tour over major cities. (e.g. the skywhale hot air balloon by patricia piccinini)

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

It would have been great to have a few more hands on deck so that during the inflation of the syringe we could have had people talking with the crowd about our objectives. We were so busy with the handling of the syringe this opportunity was missed.

UCLA Graphics

Objective:

Encourage conversation around the vaccine and how UCLA can help make that happen.

The Project:

Poster featuring the UCLA Bear mascot and a mock up of a magazine cover to encourage UCLA to help Free the Vaccine.

What worked?

Strongly featured UCLA.

About this project
Creators:
  • Crane Squad

December, 2020

Image/graphic

United States, Los Angeles

10inchesx14inches

Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

Link to Original or High-Res file

    Original files can be provided for exhibition

Reflections from Crane Squad

Cards Against Humanity

Objective:

Draw attention to the craziness of how our pharmaceutical systems work.

The Project:

Cards Against Humanity Parady

TRY THIS:

Make your own set.

Riff on another game.

What worked?

A fun, playful way to point out serious issues.

About this project
Creators:
  • Robins Squad

December, 2020

Image/graphic

United Kingdom, London

4×5 inches

Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

    A set of instructions exists on how to make this work

Reflections from Robins Squad

Matthew McConaughey Gets University of Texas to Sign the Open Covid Pledge

Objective:

Matthew McConaughey is the face of the University of Texas (UT). He is a professor there and often seen in the university’s marketing materials. Since our team has been struggling to get any professors, staff, or even student leaders from UT to respond to our emails, letters, and phone calls about the Open Covid Pledge, we have decided to shift our target focus to McConaughey, who is fairly active on social media. We have been bombarding him with memes as well as this parody of his Lincoln commercial. Our objective is to get McConaughey to endorse the pledge, adding pressure on UT officials to sign it!

The Project:

A parody of Matthew McConaughey’s Lincoln commercial. Instead of McConaughey endorsing Lincoln cars, we’ve dubbed the video so he is rather selling the Open Covid Pledge.

TRY THIS:

Share it on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine

Make a version for your community.

What worked?

Our actor who does the Matthew McConaughey impression nailed it! The editing in general is really good, for instance the dubbing is timed well and we even added a more hopeful-feeling music score!

    Original files can be provided for exhibition

Links:

Reflections from Dannie Snyder

About this project
Creators:

November, 2020

Video

United States, Austin

1280×720

Link to Original or High-Res file

Thank You Card

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.

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

Image/graphic, Print, Writing

Hungary, Budapest

1890 × 2522 pixels

Creative Commons BY-NC-SA

Download Original/High-Resolution File: Thank-You-Card-1.jpg

    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.

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

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 .

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 RamĂ­rez BermĂşdez
  • 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.

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

Reflections from Jeimmy Katherine RamĂ­rez BermĂşdez

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.