23.11.08

towards the museum of street "weapons"












Please note: we do not support the use of weapons. Kindly do not misinterpret us. "Weapons" here is used as a rhetoric. The point of this is to figure out what kind of everyday objects make us feel safe or prepare us to defend ourselves.

We propose to build an online museum of street weapons with your response.

Weapons are objects of defense used by you to feel safe and protected. What are these objects and things that you carry which make you feel safe? And- how do you propose to use them?

Please send us a list of things you carry that prepare you to walk on the streets. If you like you could also send us photos of your defense weapons. If you cannot relate to it- think again- it could be in the way you hold your bag, books across chest etc. Or how many times have you pretended to talk on the mobile phone when out alone? or kept a clenched fist ready?

Think. Remember or simply look in your hand bag and send us your list.

Men are invited to participate as well- you can participate by speaking to women you know about their street weapons and add to this list. Don't just limit it to bloggers- in true Blank Noise spirit- speak with family members, friends, colleagues, domestic help, vegetable vendors- every woman you know! Share this poster on email lists, college and office walls, apartment buildings, neighbourhoods and markets- let's get this going!

You can also confirm/ join in on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2703755288#/event.php?eid=46016327805&ref=mf

Blank Noise Team

disclaimer: Blank Noise does not support "weapons and violent activity" unless absolutely required for defense. Blank Noise is interested in understanding fear , addressing fear and generating discourse around it.


Contributors:
Kismet Nakai, Mandy Van Deven, Ritambhara Mehta
, Anasuya Sengupta, Hemangini Gupta, Dimplicious, Maya Singh, Ratna Apnender, Lindsey Rieder , Sravanthi Dasari,Megha Joshi Bhagat, Sravanthi Dasari, Chitra Badrinarayan, Ritu A Kamath, Maya Hussein Kovskaya, Radha Pandey, Amrutha Bushan, Aastha Gupta, Alaphia Zoyab, Katheeja Talha,Kritika Sharma, Marjorie Barboza, Nabila Zaidi, Annie Zaidi, Arushi Singh, Shaheema Shaw...


supporting text from the blogathon(2006)

She cocoons herself and turns a blind eye to the truth that several men are gazing at her, with not-so-friendly eyes

. Being prepared for such situation does not only mean carrying pepper sprays and joining the weekend Kung Fu/Karate class. The preparation has to start from the mind

Some things, you get used to. Like rage.You will learn to laugh. Humour is a great self-defence tool.

When in public - don't sing, don't smile, don't swing your arms, or your hips. It is better to wear a frown on the streets, along with mouth that looks like it can chew your head off, spewing some rather choice invective, if bothered.

Learn filthy abuse; use it.

A training in martial arts is not every woman’s cup of tea. So, that leaves us with just one weapon - COURAGE!



Listen Audio:

Street Tales of Hyper Women between the age group of 11 to 80 years : Manchester. UK. Cornerhouse


19.11.08

CALLING BLANK NOISE ACTION HEROES IN CHENNAI!

*Please note change of venue.**

We are now meeting at Spencer Plaza, Phase III, Ground Floor Atrium.
Time: 1130 a.m.
Same date: November 30, 2008.






NOV 30TH. SUNDAY. 11 45 AM- 1 PM. PONDY BAZAAR
BLANK NOISE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PRAJNYA
ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC INTERVENTION BASED ON
STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO UNAPOLOGETIC WALKING

We promise you it will be simple. quick. fun and challenging.
So bring along your mom, grandmother, friends, family, colleagues.
Let's make some action heroes!

Say yes and email us at blurtblanknoise at gmail dot com to confirm
or simply click confirm on the facebook events page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=33213279748

We would love to reveal more details but then the surprise of it will be lost. Details will be given out to those who request or confirm.

Blank Noise Members from Chennai JAYSHRI IYER, PRIYANKA, KATHEEJA TALHA
along with Prajnya- Swarna and Nirupama will be working towards making this happen.

You can make this happen by working with us on the pre production or by simply being there no later than 11 45 on November 30th. Pondy Bazaar.

Sign up!