04 Apr Project: Mini Protest Banner
Imagine walking down the street and spotting a colourful cross-stitched banner out of the corner of your eye. You stop to look more closely and discover a startling fact about human rights abuses, or perhaps an encouraging quote urging you to be the change you want to see in the world.
A mini protest banner hung inside the courtyard of Somerset House during London Fashion Week September 2012
One of the reasons why we love craftivism is that it is beautiful and non-threatening, engaging with people where they are, rather than shoving our message down their throats. That’s why our small, provocative Mini Protest Banners are so effective.
While stitching your banner, you will have the opportunity to reflect on important issues, whether that’s the shameful practices that go on in sweatshops or the need to live in an environmentally sustainable way.
hung below eye level near a playground in Lambeth where young men hang out. I thought they might listen to Scorcese over me about glamourising violence no?
And by hanging your banner in public, you engage others in the fight for a fairer, more beautiful world in a provocative but thoughtful way, without them feeling threatened or preached at.
Hundreds of craftivists have used this project to great effect each September over the last three years, to support War on Want’s ‘Love Fashion, Hate Sweatshops’ campaign. But you can stitch a Mini Protest Banner at any time, with any message.
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about the injustice of tax dodging & how the Government can put policies in place to change that” src=”http://craftivist-collective.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/5466658318_9afcede83a_b.jpg?w=388″ width=”388″ height=”258″ /> We even managed to have a little banner outside the Treasury in London about the injustice of tax dodging & how the Government can put policies in place to change thatJust remember to avoid aggressive finger-pointing or blame – the idea is to make people think, and to encourage them that positive change can happen, and that they can be a part of it!
Why not set up a craftivism session at a local vintage or ethical store or in a public place with a small group of craftivist?
Humour can be powerful- but aim to stay within tasteful bounds…these are serious issues you’re discussing!
Support we can offer:
- KIT: You can buy a Mini Protest Banner kit at our Etsy shop to make a kit on your own or in a small group.
- INSTRUCTIONS VIDEO: We have an instruction video on how to make a Mini Protest Banner.
- EVENTS: Keep an eye out on our contacts page and Facebook page for events happening in your area or set up your own and let us know so we can help promote and cover it. There are events across the UK and hopefully globally being plotted as I write this so look out for them!
- CONTACT US: For any questions or help please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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My Craftivism by craftivist Sayraphim Lothian | Craftivist Collective
Posted at 00:02h, 29 December[…] / event – what did you do, and how, and why? One of my most recent craftivism projects was a Minifashionprotest banner. I felt it was important to highlight the terrible conditions in the third world factories […]