Art and Politics Art (very public art), social improvement through entertainment, and creative collabo- ration of artistic forces from diverse disci- plines and cultures, are three key character- istics of the Public Dreams Society. The Society consists of a core of long-term associates: artist-director Paula Jardine; music director Calvin Cairns; designer Catherine Hahn; festival artist Evelyn Roth; actress Dolly Hopkins and producer Leslie Fiddler. Each “Public Dream” is a unique combination of mythology and performance developed co-operatively by an evergrowing network of artists, actors, and technicians. Eight years of festivals, celebrations, parades, and allegorical outdoor theatre spectacles have served to broaden the range of political and social activism undertaken by the Society. Having produced work in both Toronto and Edmonton, the Society situated in Vancouver in 1985 and now operates out of the Strathcona neigh- bourhood. Their latest endeavour is aimed at improvement of the area. The Prior Street Art Project has grown out of the frustration of Prior Street resi- dents over traffic volume, concurrent noise and pollution, parking restrictions and unsafe driving habits on the street. Listening to the residents complain, Public Dreams . thought that a street art project could educate and entertain motorists, remind the politicians and planners that Prior Street isa community problem, and as a neigh- bourhood work together on a fun project. Joining creative forces on this project are: Artist/writer Carole Itter, co-editor of “Opening Doors”, an aural history of the Strathcona neighbourhood; Richard Tetrault, painter and muralist (he did the murals inside the Community Centre with local kids); Mike Banwell, a public artist and teacher at Emily Carr College; and Leslie Fiddler, board member of the Community Centre and SPOTA. They are working together with students from Strathcona Elementary School. The project consists of ninety-five oversized cut-out cartoon figures of people, animals, and birds engaged in various activities. These figures will be installed along the Prior roadbed, in people’s front yards, along the Community Garden berm and on the inside fence of Strathcona Park. Signs held by the colourful cut-outs will be in Cantonese, English, Italian, and Vietnam- ese. The slogans are intended to remind commuters that Prior is a residential street and that existing traffic problems can be managed through courtesy, common sense and respect. The project will be in place from March 11 to April 2. Naomi Singer P(Z\moRphously Sex and Destiny Only a sense of duty pushed me into attend- ing films and lectures during ECCAD’S AIDS Week (Feb. I5-19) but what | learned through the entertaining but informative presentations will, through this article, probably save someone'’s life. Please do read on. Although not everyone carrying the virus dies (current statistics state that 40% willdevelop AIDS or AIDS-related (ARC) symptoms within 8 years) all transmit the virus to their lovers. If you have slept with anyone over the past 5 years, or shared aneedle, there is apossibility that you are carrying the virus. The HIV virus mutates rapidly, so a vaccina- tion and cure are as difficult to discover as are those forthe commoncold. Itbegan as a non-fatal virus in monkeys which, through mutation, began to infect the people of Africa. Today every other person there carries the virus. The virus migrated to Haiti and North America. Vancouver has more carriers than any other city in Canada. The B.C. Government estimates that from 10,000 to 20,000 here carry the virus and do not know they are infected. Most of these people show no symp- toms but all are capable of infecting others. Tests will show if you have AIDS antibodies, they do not say whether or not you have AIDS. AIDS is the result of several symptoms appearing together, due to adeficient immune system. Two of the diseases common to AIDS are a rare form of skin cancer and pneumonia. It can take from 6 weeks to 6 months after infection for the antibod- ies to show up in your system. The virus is carried in semen, vaginal fluid and blood. Therefore, it is transmitted through anal and vaginal intercourse and by sharing a needle. It is not transmitted through saliva, sneezes, or mosquitoes. Condoms are amust! Buy only latex because the virus can permeate skin. And don’t skimp. They aren’t what they used to be, now that there is a vitalized market. It is important to note that since the virus attacks the immune system, you would be wise to tone down any hedonistic ways. Drugs and alco- hol weaken the immune system making it less able to fight off the virus. Testing is free at the Clinic, 828 West lOth Avenue (872-6652) and the speakers from AIDS Vancouver recommend that you talk to them about counselling first (687-AIDS). If you were to be tested positive you would want the results to be confidential. They can advise you on this. The World Health Organization estimates that l0 million people carry the virus, and we can expect 100 million within 5 years. In New York one out of every I5 people carries the virus. If knowl- edge is not spread now, or if precautions are not taken, we could all witness the death of someone close to us, including ourselves. By the way, if you would like to do some volunteer work over the summer, AIDS Vancou- ver needs a lot of support. They receive little funding from the Provincial Government so in- forming the public and giving both emotional and practical support to those who are now ill is in our hands. By the way, this is no longer a disease for “other people”. Today the most common factor of transmission is heterosexual sex. Katherine Ayres PErVERsE $ yy Planetofthe Arts vol.3no.5 March 1988 Polymorphous and Perverse ‘ a -Quantities depend on servings, number and size. Use your eyes. To those jaded individuals out there who think they’ve seen it all in terms of art, there’s hope. You need no longer suffer from ‘Degas vu’ because the Procession of the Polymor- phously Perverse will be taking place Sunday March 13 at one o’clock. The Social Spectacle Of The Entire Decade will incorporate all the most visual and vital elements this college can generate and should be unlike any parade you've seen. We will be stopping traffic and prancing around fabulous Granville Island in front of T.V. cameras and gawking shoppers, so do wear you very best fantasy. To make your ambitious visions come true the G.I. Trust and the Student Society have provided funds, available to anyone who wishes to participate (and submits a proposal to the parade co-ordinator by March 7th). Sooner is better than later for presenting your budget as money will be given on a first-come first-served basis. So don’t let finances be an inhibiting factor (Monet is no object). The Planet of the Arts office is operating as Information Central for the parade so all questions, suggestions, proposals, financial requests, donations and enthusiasm should be directed there. If you have no particular vision of your own for the Procession you may want to participate in a mask-making and head-dress-construction workshop (material will be provided but bring some tools and any eccentric accessories you may want to add). The date for this event will be posted on the Planet door. If possible please let the co-ordinator (me-Naomi) know of your intention to attend this workshop so we can have enough materials on hand. A car has graciously been donated to become a 3-D canvas-on-wheels at the hands of any painters who care to participate. The date of the car-painting party will be posted on the Planet door. Anyone else who wants their vehicle transformed through the miracle of latex should say so very soon. (The artwork won't make your Van Gogh any better but it will look cool). Should your vision of glory be rather large (for example yourself atop a life-size wooden elephant on wheels, pulled by a dozen instruc- tors in body paint), the installation space in 3-D is booked for your construction convenience from March 7-12th. Again, it is advisable to check in at the Planet office so the 3-D space won't be over-extended. (However, as the French say: que Seurat Seurat). Any large quantities of interesting stuff you may have scrounged or inherited would be very valuable as resource materials for construction of props. For example the Foundation depart- ment has donated several miles of two-inch wide video tape, so if you have an intriguing way to incorporate any of it into your design please come you-know-where and talk to you- know-who and all shall be arranged. Similarly, if you wish to donate your grandmothers life- time collection of fish-net stockings there’s bound to be someone who can use it creatively. A list of available materials is now growing on the Planet door. All photographers and video students are encouraged to participate in documenting the event in a variety of creative ways. This is a project easily adapted to directed studies, and money for film is available to those who ask. You must save your receipts. What’s a parade without music? If you have musical instruments (not a grand piano) and some level of musical ability your participa- tion is encouraged. After the parade the huge party and dance takes place in the Concourse gallery (7:00 p.m. Sunday onwards). If you want to volunteer for setting up or cleaning up or if you have ideas for music, decorations etc., talk to Martin Stein, the man in charge. Just don’t tell him | sent you. Refreshments (i.e.: beer ) will be provided by the Administration for all volunteers who help with the College Open House and for all parade participants. More beer will also be on sale for those who just want to join the party. The second-most important thing you can do forthe success of the Procession of the Polymorphously Perverse is to use your imagination and initiative. The most important thing to do is pray for no rain. Naomi Singer . yere@ wenis Pue euls}00g Jo1eHb41eEWN 1 Art and Politics ‘Art (very public art), social improvement ‘through entertainment, and erative collabo- ratlon of artistic forces from diverse disc! sms Soclety. The Society consists of a core of long-term associates: artist-director Paula Jardine; ‘music director Calvin Cairns; Catherine Hahn; festival artist Evelyn Rott ‘actress Dolly Hopkins and producer Leslie, Fiddler. Each “Public Dream” is a unique ‘combination of mythology and performance doveloped co-operatively by an evergrowing network of artists, actors, and technicians Eight years of festivals, celebrations, parades, and allegorical outdoor theatre ‘spectacles have served to broaden the ‘range of political and social activism undertaken by the Society. Having produced ‘work In both Toronto and Edmonton, the Society situated in Vancouver in 1985 and now operates out of the Strathcona nelgh- bourhood. Thelr latest endeavour Is almed at improvement of the area. The Prior Street Art Project has grown ‘out of the frustration of Prior Stroet resi- dons over traffic volume, concurrent noise ‘and pollution, parking restrictions and. unsafe driving habits on the street. Listening to the residents complain, Public Dreams ‘thought that a street art project could ‘educate and entertain motorists, romind the pollticians and planners that Prior Streot is a ‘community problem, and as a neigh- bourhood work together on a fun project. Joining creative forces on this project ‘Artisvwriter Carole Itter, co-editor of pening Doors”, an aural history of the ‘Strathcona neighbourhood; Richard Totrault, painter and muralist (he did the ‘murals inside the Community Centro with local kids); Mike Banwell, a public artist and cher at Emily Carr College; and Leslio Fiddler, board member of the Community Contre and SPOTA. They are working together with students from Strathcona, Elementary School. ‘The project consists of ninety-five ‘oversized cut-out cartoon figures of people, animals, and birds engaged in various activities. These figures will be installed along the Prior roadbed, In people's front yards, along the Community Garden berm and on the inside fence of Strathcona Park. ‘Signs held by the colourful cut-outs will be In Cantonese, English, Italian, and Vietnam- ‘ese. The slogans are intended to remind ‘commuters that Prior Is a residential street ‘nd that existing traffic problems can be ‘managed through courtesy, common sense ‘and respect. The project will be in place from March 11 to April 2. Naomi Singer Pozy moRphouSly Planet ofthe Arts vol.3no.5 March 1988 Sex and Destiny Only a sense of duty pushed mo into attond- ing fims and lectures during ECCAD'S AIDS Week (Fab. i518) but what I learned through the entertaining but informative presentations wil, ‘through this articte, probably save someone's life, Please do read on. ‘Although not everyone carrying he virus dies (current staiistics state that 40%. willdevelop AIDS. ‘r AIDS-related (ARC) symptoms witin 8 years) all transmit the virus to their lovers. f you have ‘slept with anyone over the past years, or shared needle, thereis apossibilty that you are carrying the virus. The HIV virus mutates rapidly, so a vaccin tion and cure are as dificult to discover as are thoseforthe common cold, beganas non-fatal virus in monkeys which, through mutation, began to infect the people of Africa. Today every othor person there carries the virus, The virus migrated to Halt and North America. Vancouver has more carriers than any other cy in Canada. The B.C. Government estimates that from I0,000 to 20,000, here carry the virus and do not Know they aro infected. Most of these people show no symp- ‘toms but all are capable of infecting others. Tests will show i you have AIDS antibodies, they do not say whether or not you have AIDS. AIDS is the resultof several symptoms appearing together, duetoa deficient immune systom. TWO ‘ofthe diseases common to AIDS are_a rare form ‘of skin cancer and pneumonia. Itcan take from 6 |wooks to 6 months after infection forthe antibod iesto show upin your system. The virus scarred in semen, vagina uid and blood. Therefore, itis transmitted through anal and vaginal intercourse and by sharing a needle. It is not transmitte through saliva, sneezes, or mosquitoes. ‘Condoms are amust! Buy onlylatex because the virus can permeate skin. And don't skimp. ‘They aren't what they used to be, now that there is. vitalized market. It is important to note that since the virus attacks the immune system, you would be wise to tone down any hedonistic ways. Drugs and alco- hol weaken the immune system making it less virus, ‘at the Clinic, 828 West Joth ‘Avenue (872-6652) and the speakers from AIDS Vancouver recommend that you talk to them bout counseling fst (687-AIDS). Hfyouwereto be tested postive you would wantthe resultstobe ‘confidential. They can advise you on this. ‘The World Health Organization estimates ‘that 0 milion people carry the virus, and wo can ‘expect 00 milion within Syears. In New Yorkono ‘out of every IS people carries the virus. Ifknowl- edge is not spread now, or if precautions are not taken, we could allwtness the death of someone close to us, including ourselves. By the way, if you would lke to do some ‘volunteer work over the summer, AIDS Vancou- ‘yer needs a lot of support. They receive litle funding from the Provincial Government so in- forming the public and giving both emotional and practical support to those who are now ill isin our hands. By the way, this is no longer a disease for “other people”. Today the most common factor of transmission is heterosexual sex. Katherine Ayres PErVERsE ‘Quontties depend on servings, number and size Use your eyes. Polymorphous and Perverse To those jaded individuals out there who think they ve seen ital in terms of ar, there's hope. You need no longer suffer from "Degas, vu’ because the Procession of the Polymor- pphously Perverse willbe taking place Sunday March 13 at one o'clock. The Social Spectacle (Of The Entire Decac ‘most visual and vital elements this collage can {gonerate and should be unike any parade you've seen, We willbe stopping traffic and prancing, ‘around fabulous Granville Island infront of TV. ‘cameras and gawking shoppers, $0 do wes you very best fantasy. ‘To make your ambitious visions come true the G.. Trust and the Student Society have provided funds, available to anyone who wishes to paricipato (and submits a proposal to the pparade co-ordinator by March 7th). Sooners, botter than later for presenting your budget as money willbe given on a first-come first-served basis. So don' let finances be an inhibiting factor (Monet is no object). The Planet of the Ars office is operating as Information Central for the parade so all uestions, suggestions, proposals, financial requests, donations and enthusiasm should bo directed there, Hf you have no particular vision of your own {or the Procession you may want to participate in a mask-making and head-dress-construction ‘workshop (material willbe provided but bring some tools and any eccentric accessories you may want to add). The date for this event wil ‘be postad on the Planet door. if possible please let the co-ordinator (me-Naomi) know of Your intention to attend this workshop so we can have enough materials on hand. ‘Acar has graciously beon donated 1o become a 3-D canvas-on-wheols at the hands cof any painters who care to participate. The dato ofthe car-painting party will be posted on. the Planet door. Anyone else who wants their vohicle transformed through the miracle of latex should say so very soon. (The artwork won't ‘make your Van Gogh any better butit wll look cool). ‘Should your vision of glory be rather large (for example yourself atop a life-size wooden ‘lophant on wheels, pulled by a dozen instruc- tors in body paint), the installation space in 3-D {is booked for your construction conveniance from March 7-12th. Again, itis advisable to ‘check in atthe Planet ofice so the 3-D space ‘won't be over-extended. (However, as the French say: que Sourat Soural). ‘Any large quanti of interesting stuff you may have serounged or inherited would be very valuable as resource materials for construction cf props. For example the Foundation depart. ‘ment has donated several miles of two-inch wide video tape, so if you have an intriguing Way to incorporate any of it into your design please come you-know-where and tak to you- know-who and all shal be arranged. Similarly, if you wish to donate your grandmothers lfe- time collection of fsh-net stockings there's bound to be someone who can use it creatively. A list of available matarals is now growing on the Planet door. ‘All photographers and video students are ‘encouraged to participate in documenting the ‘event in a varcty of creative ways. This is a project easily adapted to directed studies, and ‘money for fm is available to those who ask You must save your receipts. What's a parade without music? f you have musical instruments (not a grand piano) ‘and some level of musical abllty your paricipa- tion is encouraged. After the parade the huge party and dance takas place in the Concourse gallory (7:00 p.m. ‘Sunday onwards). if you want to voluntoor for setting up or cleaning up or if you have ideas for ‘music, decorations etc, tak to Martin Stein, the ‘man in charge. Just don' tell him I sent you. Refreshments (.2.: beer) willbe provided by the Administration forall volunteers who help with the College Open House and for all parade participants. More baer will also be on sale for those who just want to jin the party The second-most important thing you can 40 for the success of the Procession of the Polymorphously Perverse isto use your imagination and intiative. The most important thing to dois pray for no rain. Naomi Singer 5