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30 days in South America, finalmente

documenting the growth in women’s sustainability, education levels, and labor participation by fair trade textile cooperative movements.

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30 days in South America, finalmente

30 days in South America, finalmente

30 days in South America, finalmente

30 days in South America, finalmente

30 days in South America, finalmente

documenting the growth in women’s sustainability, education levels, and labor participation by fair trade textile cooperative movements.

documenting the growth in women’s sustainability, education levels, and labor participation by fair trade textile cooperative movements.

documenting the growth in women’s sustainability, education levels, and labor participation by fair trade textile cooperative movements.

documenting the growth in women’s sustainability, education levels, and labor participation by fair trade textile cooperative movements.

Lauren Reese
Lauren Reese
Lauren Reese
Lauren Reese
1 Campaign |
chicago, United States
$21 USD 2 backers
0% of $2,300 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Choose your Perk

First Edition Matchboxes

$6 USD
Est. Shipping
February 2013
1 out of 50 of claimed

Friendship bracelet w/ Letter

$10 USD
Est. Shipping
April 2013
0 claimed

Personalized Post Card

$15 USD
Est. Shipping
March 2013
1 out of 12 of claimed

Illustration/Post Card

$25 USD
Est. Shipping
February 2013
0 claimed

MINI ACCORDIAN BOOK

$50 USD
Est. Shipping
April 2013
0 out of 10 of claimed

Photo Book

$75 USD
Est. Shipping
May 2013
0 out of 20 of claimed

Archival Inkjet Print 8 x 10

$100 USD
Est. Shipping
June 2013
0 out of 10 of claimed

Knitted Collared Cowl!

$150 USD
Est. Shipping
May 2013
0 claimed

Archival Inkjet Print 16 x 20

$200 USD
Est. Shipping
June 2013
0 out of 5 of claimed

Knitted Hooded Cowl!

$250 USD
Est. Shipping
May 2013
0 claimed

Mirror Art Installation

$500 USD
Est. Shipping
June 2013
0 out of 3 of claimed

C A B A L L O


I was nine years old when it all began. Caballo (horse) was the first Spanish word I was taught, going through my horse-girl phase that some may say I've never gotten out of. I attended an after school program in my elementary school that was to promote foreign language interest in children. I was instantly hooked with curiosity by worry dolls and the linguistic qualities. I continued my education and passion for Spanish for 15 years, now graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Photography and Minor in Latino/Hispanic Studies. However, I have yet to travel to a Spanish speaking country in the Souther Hemisphere to put what I have learned to use.


This opportunity will support the knowledge that I cannot find in a book, teacher, or program. What I am looking for is the knowledge that can only be gained by living and encountering first hand experiences.

This will also be the first time I can properly combine what is most important to me: art, South America, women's sustainability.
 Growth in women’s income, education levels, and labor participation rates make them essential participants in the global economy, and engagement with women and girls increasingly critical to sustainable growth for every industry. 

Your support will help me achieve this living experience. The experience will be reflected by a few forms of art-making. This can then be shared to you and many many more on South American art, culture, history, and the struggle for women's sustainability.


MAIN PHOTOGRAPHIC FOCUS: Documentary on women's sustainability in South America. Most of this will be researched out before my trip, where I will then visit these organizations and interview/photograph the working women there. A collection of photographs taken accompanied by text from interviews will be compiled into a book that can be later purchased or free if you contribute for that perk!

A great organization for example is: Manos del Uruguay (a non-profit social organization which, since 1968, has provided jobs for craftswomen living in Uruguay rural areas). Their objective of which is to generate work for rural women, allowing them to stay in their towns, earn their living and develop themselves as human beings. Accepted as a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), Manos del Uruguay is 100% committed to Fair Trade. Their achivement acknowledges a mission of eradicating poverty through sustainable economic growth.
Manos del Uruguay is an organization made up of Cooperatives of craft manufacturing and a Service Center, and its the main objectives are:
    •    To generate and develop work sources for women in the interior of the country
    •    Provide economic, social and cultural opportunities to all its members.
    •    Value handicrafts and the work of artisans.

         (source:http://www.manos.com.uy/sobreManos/quienessomos...)
 
Manos del Uruguay is run by a Managing Committee made up of representatives of the Cooperatives.

*PERK ALERT* - you can find some of their great yarns knitted into lovely scarves in the perk section!
 
SECONDARY ART FOCUS: Research, Research, Research! Currently I am working on more installation art and video performances that interpret the concepts from sun rituals performed by indigenous peoples of Peru in terms of summer/winter solstices. Documenting the landscape, sun behavior, and artifacts of the past from historic sites by photography will allow me to create more expansive mirror installations. These mirror installations are to be placed in spaces where there is variable sun, in an instance that a viewer can enjoy a design out of the sun's rays. The installation will be available as a limited perk to limited contributors. Also to be used for future submissions to Public Art in Chicago, Art Residencies, and selected Chicago Galleries.

How Will I Get There? Your Support!

There are three countries I will be visiting over the course of 30 days: Argentina, Chile, and Peru. This allows approximately 10 days per country. The breakdown of my funding need is as follows:


    1.    TRANSPORTATION - Bus fair from each major city to the next
                     (Buenos Aires-Santiago-Cuzco)
    2.    LODGING - Estimated nightly charge $50.00/camping is a cheaper option
                      in only more rural areas.
    3.    FILM! - I shoot with a medium format Bronica, that is 6x4.5 (allows me more 
                    frames per 120 roll. 15 shots opposed to 12) Kodak T-MAX 100 120 film
                    is $25.00 per pack of 5.  Leaves me only 75 images per pack, will need
                    tons more of that. I will also be shooting 35mm film, color and BW. Why
                    no digital? I can only use what resources I have available to me, film
                    cameras are all I have ever invested in. I simply believe in the discipline
                    of the photographic processes, not to mention you'll get a better perk in
                    the end!
    4.    FOOD - Since I will be nonstop traveling for a month, stocking up on food
                    when possible will be necessary, especially in some areas that may be
                    more remote than others.


There are a lot of unique and special perks that you can get through your support! All are art friendly and South American themed created by yours truly. Look to see what you can get from a variety of contributions from $6.00 to $500.00. All the way from Friendship bracelets  to a 5ft x 5ft art installation in your apartment/home!

If I unfortunately do not achieve my goal, the funds will primarily go to transportation/lodging. The biggest cut will have to be the film which means, less art for me AND you! </3



Why Should You Care?

We are all part of a world, living inside of some spectrum of humanity, where unfortunately that spectrum has been stretched too far from nothingness to totality. There is something to be valued in "the other". It may be easier to forget about this spectrum of humanity when you are living in the positive polar opposite, but impossible to forget when you are living under the negative polar opposite. This is why I care. I care because I have made the decision to live a life through differences to better enrich who I am as a person and to enrich others. I made this decision when I was 9 years old to learn a different language, to feel how it is to struggle to communicate. I made this decision when I was 18 years old to be a photographer, to feel how it is to struggle to communicate yet again, but visually. The feeling of experiencing what it is like to be outside of familiarity has opened my eyes to cultures, histories, art, and people that I would have otherwise been blind to.


Other Ways You Can Help

If you cannot contribute, but still want to help out, I understand! There is yet three other ways you can help me and I would be forever appreciative!

    1.    SPREAD THE WORD! Tell all your friends, family, coworkers, artists, Spanish classmates-teachers, everyone and anyone!

    2.    Have any MIRRORS, BROKEN? Big or Small? Even if they aren't broken just old and in the way, I'll gladly take them off your hands as a donation towards some installations upon my return!

    3.    HAVE YOU TURNED DIGITAL? Have any old darkroom equipment? Have any old film laying around? Even if it's expired I'll gladly use that for you! No reason in letting old film go to waste, contact me and I can give you the address to send it to!

*All mirror/photograhic donors can expect a life-long friendship bracelet and thank you post card!


 


gracias por su tiempo y consideración / thank you for your time and consideration


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