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:
Get Moderna to share its vaccine-production knowledge with the World Health Organization.
The Project:
A poster about the American duty to help ramp up global vaccine production. It stresses the importance of sharing with the World Health Organization taxpayer-funded knowledge about how to make vaccines. It’s inspired by a WWII-era poster by Andrew Wyeth.
TRY THIS:
Print it and post it.
Customize the call to action.
What worked?
It is visually striking!
Other Notes:
It’s hard to pick just one location associated with this piece – it was a collaboration among people based in LA, Pittsburgh/Buffalo, Indianapolis, Maryland, Delaware/Philadelphia, and Boston.
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An original object can be provided for exhibition
- The work can be reproduced on site with instructions (provided)
Links:
Reflections from Daria Bazzi
What was the process/journey of creating this work?
Upon being sent the original image and idea by Laura, I used photoshop to edit the image into a version that communicated what we were trying to express, and made different versions from there based on feedback from the team. Afterwards we set up a google doc for people to use as a resource if wanting to use the image in various formats.
What skills or perspectives did the collaborators bring to this?
Art history, design, messaging, different audience perspectives.
What were some of the responses to this work?
Some found it really cool and clever, others were a bit confused by the dated look.
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?
Maybe a more thorough photoshopping/re-illustrating of the original image to bring home the message even more, perhaps put it on a billboard or in Times Square or something, animate it a bit.
If someone else were going to make/use/do something like this, what advice would you give them?
Please feel free to build upon it! We provided editable versions of all assets for people to use as they please, Iām sure there are other creative ways and formats to pair with this concept.
About this project
Creators:
- Daria Bazzi
- Laura Holzman
- Kisha Patterson
- Vandhana Reddy
- Maanasa Gurram
- Jaya M.
- Parthu K.
December, 2021
Image/graphic, Online/web thing, Print
United States, Los Angeles
36 x 24 inches, variable
Objective:
We wanted people at UCLA and in the surrounding communities to sign onto the Open COVID Pledge.
The Project:
This was a rally we had for May Day at UCLA. We all held up posters to reach out to passerbyers to sign onto the Open COVID Pledge.
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Organize one in your community.
Make it even more participatory.
What worked?
We successfully signed on many individuals of the UCLA community onto the OCP!
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Original files can be provided for exhibition
- The work can be reproduced on site with instructions (provided)
Reflections from Naneeta Desar
About this project
Creators:
- Naneeta
- Avani
- Mominah
- Akshitha
- Johanna
- Jaya
- Ellery
- Isabella
- Remy
- Leena
May, 2021
United States, Los Angeles
2.6 MB
Objective:
We would like UBC students to become more educated about the Open COVID Pledge and show their support for UBC signing it.
The Project:
This poster was created to have UBC students be excited to promote the Open COVID Pledge to their university as a way to get them to sign it. A google form is included for the students to express their opinion for UBC administration to hear.
STRATEGIES:
TRY THIS:
Make it specific to your community.
What worked?
I think that the idea behind this project and how it will be used was successful because it will be very simple for students to use this poster to share their thoughts.
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Original files can be provided for exhibition
Reflections from Riya Agrawal
What was the process/journey of creating this work?
First, our team had a brainstorming session on what would be accessible and informative, while also giving UBC students the chance to use their voice for an important issue. Upon coming up with the idea to have a poster with a QR-code for them to post their thoughts, I made an overall template and our team worked to improve it. Finally, I made the google form, with the description created by our team to educate the students about vaccine equity.
What skills or perspectives did the collaborators bring to this?
Cathy was very experienced with making posters of this format, so she knew what would look great. Declan and Jacob were able to phrase our wording on the poster and the google form as eloquently as possible
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?
An interactive exhibit or art piece that the students could contribute to and share their voice on the Open COVID Pledge would be a very impactful way of getting their university to hear them. This sort of exhibit could be spread to universities all across the world to amplify the message.
About this project
Creators:
- Riya
- Declan
- Jacob
- Cathy
April, 2021
Image/graphic, Online/web thing
Canada, Toronto
8.5×11 inches
Download Original/High-Resolution File: UBC-Open-COVID-Pledge.pdf
Objective:
Create and get 200 ācard carrying membersā of the Jonas Salk Fan Club by end of the third season of Free the Vaccine for COVID-19.
The Project:
Membership cards for the Jonas Salk Fan Club. The card says that the cardholder “believes life-saving medications are public goods to be shared with the world, not witheld for corporate gain, and is hereby duly recognized as a registered, lifetime member of the International Jonas Salk Fan Club.”
TRY THIS:
Join the Jonas Salk Fan Club and get your own card.
Start a membership group for something you care about.
What worked?
There’s a consistency across all the Jonas Salk Fan Club kit that makes it feel like a set.
Other Notes:
I just riffed off the Jonas Salk Fan Club Sticker I made earlier in the week.
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A set of instructions exists on how to make this work
- 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)
Links:
Reflections from Steve Lambert
If someone else were going to make/use/do something like this, what advice would you give them?
You can print business cards very cheaply most places in the world. Don’t hesitate, just have them made and start handing them out. Keep 10 or 20 in your pocket or bag so you can give them away!
The Jonas Salk Fan Club pins are a great way to attract attention and recruit new members!
About this project
Creators:
April, 2021
United States, Poughkeepsie
2 x 3.5 inches
Download Original/High-Resolution File: Jonas-Salk-Fan-Club-Card.ai_-1.zip
Objective:
Get 1000 people in UCLA to understand and publicly support Free the Vaccine goals
The Project:
Shareable social media content that could be posted by different student organization in UCLA
TRY THIS:
Share it on social media. #FreeTheVaccine #PeoplesVaccine
Make it specific to your community.
What worked?
A general representative of UCLA’s Undergraduate Students Association Council reposted some of the graphics, increasing exposure and conversation about the Open COVID Pledge and Free the Vaccine.
Reflections from Johanna Angeles
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 print these out and plaster them all over the UCLA campus, leaving no surface untouched.
If someone else were going to make/use/do something like this, what advice would you give them?
You don’t need to be a professional nor have a fine art background to create social media graphics! I personally used Canva. It has free templates you can easily customize.
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! š
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:
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
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A set of instructions exists on how to make this work
- An original object can be provided for exhibition
Links:
- Flat Salk images and directions on the Jonas Salk Fan Club site
- @FlatSalk on Twitter
- @FlatSalk on Instagram
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
Germany, Munster
3024 x 4032 pixels
Download Original/High-Resolution File: Salk-.png, Salk-Outline.png
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
Australia, Melbourne
video of an action
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.
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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.
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
United Kingdom, London
4×5 inches
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A set of instructions exists on how to make this work