Short Summary
Cannifa is a collaborative multimedia art and writing project. The project began as a twitter account managed by Chris Cheney and Amy Lawless (
@Cannifa) and our web site is
iamcannifa.tumblr.com. We utilize internet and social media platforms, our own personal histories, one’s ancestor’s haunting voices, "the other," as well as our community in order to build collaborative writing and art projects. The ultimate goal is to write more books! The immediate, daily goal is to disrupt our peers and social environment by using our selves to create new experiences and content. Following from the history of experimental, conceptual, theatrical, and lyric literature and art, we provide context to free the author (ourselves) from the shackles of lived experience into co-created new realities.
In order to continue our project and fulfill our obligations to our community and our current Toggle Residency, we need two high power laptops.
Our laptops are currently on our last legs, which constantly gives us problems and interrupts our work.
Chris' laptop has a loose flap which overheats on the bottom and restarts due to a faulty battery. Amy's laptop restarts constantly and the battery is weak. At the time of purchase, neither could afford a care plan for these computers.
What We Need & What You Get
Here's the breakdown:
- In order to replace our laptops, we need $2,300.
- If you contribute, perks include goodies: a fresh pie made by Amy, our book I CRY (forthcoming from Pioneer Works Publishing), a week long residency on our popular Twitter account, research and intuitive counseling sessions, a lecture at your home, manuscript consultations (virtual or in person), and help from our intern.
- If we don't meet our goal, we will put the money toward purchasing new laptops regardless.
The Impact
- In order for collaborative writing and digital art creation to work, Chris and Amy work virtually on their own computers. Their process requires constant communication on reliable machines. They would like their in-person work meetings to focus on idea generation and not IT computer maintenance.
-
We are currently Toggle Fellows via neverhitsend and 21A (out of Vancouver, Canada). In order to complete our residency in order to disrupt social media, good working computers are necessary.
- Our @Cannifa account has 2,300 followers (and counting!) that rely on us for contact and connection. We only need one dollar from each follower to make this happen!
Risks & Challenges
- We have a strong history of collaborative success. We are currently on work on our 2nd book Swan Song, are proud to be Toggle Fellows, and are showing no signs of slowing down on our highly productive collaboration. We would also like to apply for artists' residencies and this requires high functioning tools.
- Amy is an adjunct teacher, which results in an unreliable income. She also suffers from serious asthma that requires expensive inhaled steroids twice a day.
- Chris is legally blind in his left eye. He is recovering from a car injury which has resulted in a minor concussion. This experience has been emotionally taxing upon him and people around him.
Other Ways You Can Help
- Share our story and campaign on social media!
- Follow @Cannifa (Twitter) or @iamcannifa (on Tumblr)
- Read more about some of our social media disruptions.
- Use the "share" buttons on this site!
- Talk to your friends about collaboration and engage with us on our sites. We're always looking to talk to dynamic people about art, writing, and feelings.
