Question G20

Retrospective

2010-02-19T21:21:00.004-05:00

This is a cross-reference to NGTVFDBK's post. Keep updated on some of our latest scheming over at the Dumpster = Home Collective.

Takedown Complete

2009-09-30T11:42:00.003-04:00

The shantytown is vanished, all traces of its presence in central campus eliminated. Our forces worked tirelessly though the dark cold rain yesterday to dismantle it. The doors, interesting art, and main shanty have been ( in some form ) preserved. The fence has been restored to its former glory as a pissing contest for the fraternities and sororities.

Takedown today at 6ish

2009-09-28T16:54:00.002-04:00

We need to disassemble shantytown, Austin says he'll be there around 6. Austin also says :

It is time...we've had such a good run at the artspace, but it's time for it to come down! I'll be out there this evening (how's 6 or 7 sound?) starting take-down. maybe we can get some pizza and make a thing of it. at any rate, i wanted to thank you all for making this impossibly awesome place take over the middle of campus for two weeks. i was looking through pictures today, and we've definitely created the most colorful work i've ever seen on this campus, not to mention all the adventures we had and cool shit we brought to our space. politically relevant, appropriately irreverent, soooomucchhhfuuuuunnn. so thanks crew, and keep building!!

We have created a webspace to deal with the events of friday night at pitt

2009-09-28T11:15:00.001-04:00

http://www.whathappenedatpitt.com/

We own this domain, and a forum has been set up to aggregate information. please send/copy first hand accounts to the forum, and link in any videos and photos you might have.

2009-09-26T21:31:00.002-04:00

yeah everythings fine, all is well

Artspace update

2009-09-26T20:42:00.002-04:00

Messages on the artspace :

"If you see Brett or Damage tell him to call his friends in kato"

The following people have been sighted today ( and therefore probably are not detained ) :

Faith
Danny
Aaron
Jack
Austin
Carolina
Matthew
Myself (mrule)

There is some question as to the location of Alex and Ryan, not to mention the numerous other artspace affiliates who's names I do not know. Probably everyone's just hiding from this awful weather.

Alex : I think danny may have your computer ? its unclear. Also, Austin : I think I'm going to move you laptop back to the co-op because this space is not guarded.

As for the space itself :

People are using the walls as a message board to try to re-organize, but no-one is staying here at the moment. Its lost waterproofing in a lot of places. Every 6 hours it seems like a new piece of furniture is missing. Its somewhat scary and abandoned at the moment, and falling apart. Apparantly the night the frat painted the fence there was a helicopter hovering ominously over it, so .. yeah, things have been creepy. I slept here last night in a pile of newspapers, listening to the internet police scanner.

From what I heard on the scanner, and from several accounts, this is what I understand happened last night :

The FBI gets intelligence that there is going to be a massive black block starting from schenley plaza. This causes them to prepare a massive police presence. In reality a dozen or so anarchists play games in the park, causing no trouble or disturbance. This draws in a crowd of Pitt students, talking and looking on. As people gather, and it passes the park's legal closing time of 11PM, the police move more units to encircle the park. Comments on the police scanner mention two crowds of mostly pitt students, as well as some journalists. Orders are given to encircle and detain everyone who remains in the park past closing time. "Hammer and Anvil" approach and "Tactical Spacing" are mentioned several times. Additional lines of police move into position, and are instucted to use "OC Gas as a force multiplier", in addition to the sound cannon. The police block begins pushing down Forbes avenue toward downtown. Anyone on the streets who can't run fast enough gets arrested, no matter what their purpose. People in camouflage form smaller units attempting to arrest small groups that have broken off. Everything has mostly quieted down by 1PM.

Carolina has informed me that we are trying to organize to reduce or eliminate the charges against "Bike Girl".

Hopefully everyone is asleep recovering from an exhausting week, rather than arrested.

2009-09-26T12:45:00.004-04:00

Has anyone heard from Alex lately ? He left some things from the fence, and no-one is there to guard it anymore. I haven't seen Matthew/Austin for a while ( last I heard Austin had intended to stop back at the fence last night but never showed up ? )

ok.. Matthew I'm told is fine. Austin I'm told is fine.

2009-09-26T08:34:00.001-04:00

hmm... shantytown is abandoned, effectively.

news of accidental arrests of nonviolent demonstrators caught up in the marches of yesterday !

2009-09-25T11:03:00.004-04:00

They let me and two others go, but from what I could tell most of them had to spend the night there. I am pretty sure I have an ink on my record now that says I failed to disperse, which seems silly to me because I was trying to when a police grabbed me and practically made me stop dispersing. After that other policemen in their storm trooper outfits ran at me and took me away into this van. I am alright. I wish I could go, and I want to go to today's.. but I am not sure whether that will be incredibly stupid or not. ... The police were being unfair about the arrest, they didn't necessary go for anarchists or people who appeared violent. It was pretty much random.

2009-09-25T10:48:00.002-04:00

Last night sigma-nu painted the entirely of the fence within the artspace. We set up the artspace around the fence with the specific intention of preventing any single party form monopolizing this prominent landmark throughout the duration of the G20. From the standpoint of the G20 artspace, it is disappointing to see that some of the diverse political messages have been obscured, and that sigma-nu's message is essentially self aggrandizing irrelevance.

edit : actually kappa-sigma, not sigma-nu. sorry.. can't tell one frat from another

Some sort of article on us

2009-09-24T18:37:00.000-04:00

probably explains more than this website.

http://www.an-archivist.org/aaa/?p=196

Deskin (Duskin? Dusken?) photo upload extroidenaire

2009-09-24T18:21:00.003-04:00

Including superior photos of Reverend Billy

Additional documentation of police .. dogs and stuff

[Reverend Billy and the Church of Life After Shopping] stopped by

2009-09-24T18:11:00.003-04:00

It was super awesome

although I may be the worst photojournalist ever...

-- mrule

2009-09-24T18:09:00.000-04:00

Word on the street is that the police used tear gas and rubber bullets against the march earlier today.

look ma

2009-09-24T01:15:00.000-04:00

we're in the New York Times

More media

2009-09-23T23:51:00.000-04:00

We've also got some photos in the Wall Street Journal online and (much to my pleasure) The Guardian.

Here is a link to The Guardian's photo album on the G20 protests CLICK

Fun times, we had a lot of people at the artspace tonight, a big crowd walked back from downtown.
Matthew

Terrorist Chili Powder

2009-09-23T21:13:00.000-04:00

I'm overhearing a conversation right now about the safety of our structure and I do believe Chili powder is being criticized as it can be used as a weapon. It hurts the eyes! Gotta love how hard the protesters are being ridden at this years G20. Have people learned nothing from London?

Matthew

our ryan & matthew

2009-09-23T18:04:00.001-04:00

have sullied the new york times.

the beeees!

2009-09-23T14:57:00.000-04:00

Beehive Collective came by yesterday!! They gave a great 2 hour presentation of their latest banner discussing the plight of mountains & mountain top removal. great art, good turn out.

We also showed Coal Country, a feature-length documentary about Mountain Top Removal Mining. Well made, besides the usual, really dove into the emotional repercussions of destroying the places we live in.

it's raining now. shanty's water...resistant, and it's nice to just watch.

Seeds of Peace/Everybody's Kitchen

2009-09-23T13:58:00.000-04:00

these people are wonderful and they feed us for free.
every morning 9 am, every night at 6.

they were raided by 60 cops, and they are still going strong. they're just trying to help and feed people their delicious molasses bread. in solidarity, without hunger, austin

our first march!

2009-09-23T13:45:00.000-04:00

ooooooh, maaaarrrchh....

2009-09-23T12:28:00.000-04:00

Awesome things are going on around Pittsburgh.

2009-09-23T12:21:00.002-04:00

The shantytown is a social avalanche ; it has induced another project to create a box city in CFA lawn ( spawned not by us, but a presumed descendant/downstream effect ).

Seeds of Peace

2009-09-22T20:11:00.002-04:00

Thanks to the Seeds of Peace. I'm eating a really tasty dinner and its much apreciated especially in light of recent events.

Also there is a great Coal documentary screening right now so its a great night here,

Matthew

Just Spoke to Reuters.

2009-09-22T16:51:00.000-04:00

Hey all. Just had a friendly chat with a a journalist from Reuters. She got some quotes from Austin which is great and she's got Carolina's number so if anything kicks off hopefully we'll get a call. Spoke about the general feeling in Pittsburgh, how most people in town just want this week to be over and how disproportionate the police response has been.

Austin is talking to the Dean of Students right now. I can see her reflection in the laptop screen and she looks a bit pissed.

Beaurocracy attacks again. Apparently our banner for the workshop needs to be closer to our structure. Why who knows? Perhaps that empty space of grass is the linchpin holding the city of Pittsburgh together in the face off all the unpermitted protesters.

Beehive collective are speaking right now, sounds great.

Thanks to Seeds of Peace

2009-09-22T13:34:00.002-04:00

They've been a great help providing us with some tasty vegan chili. If anyone was looking for evidence about the states heavy hand against anyone trying to engage in open discourse.

Click-------->Pennsylvania: G20 Protesters File Suit Against Police

Matthew

Army of Riot Cops on CMU Campus

2009-09-22T13:20:00.002-04:00

photographs later, if we survive. my plan is to run away, your plans may vary.

Correction/Bill Gates on Campus

2009-09-22T11:02:00.000-04:00

Firstly Dea Ex Machina has been on at me to correct the event schedule posted previously. So here we go. Of the three things I posted previously only one was a film screening (Coal Country) the other two are workshops.

Also clickage

That link should be a continually updating schedule for the G20 events at the Art Space.

Secondly I was walking up from Oakland today when around 25 state police on motorbikes passed me. Was an impressive display of authority. I'm guessing it is because Bill Gates is on campus today. Lets all use today to commemorate the numerous lawsuits Microsoft has had to fight over accusations of unlawful monopolistic practices. Its good to see more education owned by soft money isn't it?

Matthew

notes :

2009-09-22T00:23:00.009-04:00

Google ordered these pictures in reverse ::: going approximately backwards in time :

we are building more structures

it is night, but Doherty floodlights are opressive

This art is awesome, thank you for painting this.

It is raining slightly

Shantytown !

We got more wood today

This place is awesome
This was never fully explained.

Climate Film Screenings/ Police update

2009-09-21T01:32:00.000-04:00

Firstly here is a list of some of the planned film screenings for the week. They'll be at the art space, all welcome

"Coal Country" Film Screening w/ Longwall Mining Video
When: Thu Sep 24, 2009 8pm to 11pm

Beehive Collective: The True Cost of Coal
When: Tue Sep 22, 2009 1pm to 3pm

The Broader Meaning of Sustainability (Lisa Stolarski)
When: Fri Sep 25, 2009 9:30am to 10:30am

Also we've had an email from some official type folk saying that "there should have been no discussions

with your guests that they would be arrested". Well I was there and it was discussed with me.

On the plus side the tent limit isn't being enforced tonight.

Finaly going to sleep, Matthew

Unique Forms of Michael in the Artspace

2009-09-21T01:00:00.000-04:00

never like the sculpture, or the futurists, but looks like boccioni was on the right track, eh?

Carnegie Mellon Cops (The Strokes B-Side)

2009-09-20T21:54:00.000-04:00

Matthew again, just survived my first interogation with three CMU campus police. Strange for me, being from the UK our police don't carry guns. Kinda distorts the power relationship a lot! I was being interogated for 'my safety' my name was recorded for 'my safety' they were going to check back on us at midnight for 'my safety' These measures are compulsory for 'my safety'. I've never felt less safe. I've never felt more like a criminal.

This is why its so important this art space goes ahead, because people in the world struggle to find a safe space they can express their views. The cops were asking 'who painted the anarchist symbol?' imagine if they asked 'who painted the democrat symbol' we would rightly view this as police discrimination. How is this any different?

I believe with every part of me, deep to the very core of morality that what just happened was wrong. I am being put under surveillance for my safety, my freedom is being restricted for my safety. I don't know if we've made this clear yet but this is an art space were people can come and express their views, discuss the G20 and yes protest. This is supposed to be a free society where an open forum of political debate is encouraged not oppresed. How can society move forward when its held back by a badge and a gun?

"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."
Benjamin Franklin

2009-09-20T19:28:00.000-04:00

Matthew here. We're just finishing up dinner. Some vegan chilli cooked for us by our good friends at 'seeds of peace'. So the space is in a constant state of evolution, we've had campus police, Pittsburgh police, environmental health people and some guy without a title taking notes (FBI, Secret Service?) and its still moving forward. My jeans are still covered in paint from the 'paint the fence' night. There has been an awesome amount of artwork going on today. Carolina has been working on an ace landscape, Ryan has constructed some strange anarchist' solidarity thing and there's been a steady stream of people constantly asking 'What is this?', a perfect way to get them talking about the G20.

I've been reading Orwell again today so I'm in a very 'Homage to Catalonia' mood.

Revolution in the form of expression.

yinz don't got to go home, but....

2009-09-20T11:26:00.001-04:00

our friends were kicked out of the space today. CMU police (under FBI/Secret Service Orders? pick one) told our friends they couldn't stay at the space any longer. the authorities told 'em they couldn't stay because they were "protesters", and that it was for our safety. who's scared?
a minor set back for the space, as they can come still come by during the day (even night) to help us build. it's a huge set back for them, though - they came to Pittsburgh looking for places to stay, and now they've been put out for looking like 'protesters'. it's alright though, they've found places for now, and we all understand how much of a bitch authoritarian security culture can be.

in other noise, we got roofing, fools

2009-09-19T00:21:00.000-04:00

it's wonderful.

WE HAVE A PANTRY.

2009-09-19T00:17:00.000-04:00

Revised Construction Guidelines

2009-09-18T23:15:00.001-04:00

Here is an overview of the construction guidelines agreed upon in meeting with the administration. Some of these guidelines may be inconvenient or get in the way of artistic vision, but they will keep us operating. There will be inspections every one to two days to make sure we are within safety guidelines.

No cardboard construction. Cardboard may be used in small amounts if it has been appropriately treated with fireproofing chemicals.
One story structures only. No raised floors or platforms.
No tarps, plastic sheeting, or styrofoam, except those explicitly labeled as fire proof.
All enclosures should have large ( I forget how large actually ) entryways and be of sound construction. So, don't seal any regions off with doors or anything, just so we can easily meet fire code.
We should meet a 6'8" clearance on all regions of the structure that might be construed as open to the public. This will more than likely just result in us defining most of the construction as not (officially) open to the public.
No projecting or jutting construction (because people could hurt themselves I guess ?)
No nails. Only screws and bolts may be used. No rusting or corroded fasteners are to be used.
Do not use any wood that is degraded or otherwise can not hold fasteners for load bearing supports.
Do not join recycled or found wood end-to-end to extend a load bearing support.
No ramps (?)

For inspiration :

2009-09-18T22:26:00.001-04:00

We've built a pantry and a slanted roof. Hurrah, hurrah indeed. its Friday night we're talking to many bystanders (mostly sober).

Priyanka say hello

Matthew

2009-09-18T01:35:00.000-04:00

Alone, in a tent. Its September in Pittsburgh and I'm a bit cold even though I'm wearing a tshirt and cardigan. Kinda drives the whole 'tent city' lesson home a bit. I've got some free newspapers for insulation and a thin sleeping bag so I'll be alright. Still, I get why we're doing this.

Matthew

Some more pics of QuestionG20 HQ

2009-09-17T23:49:00.000-04:00

2009-09-17T23:22:00.001-04:00

Me, Ryan, Austin and Faith are the only people at chateaux grayskull right now. We're playing some guitar, ukulele and theres some world hunger poster pinned to the fence now. Also some great big brother project stuff happening. We just did an impromptu, improvised song around our tent city in re development. Should have that uploaded tomorow tho I think tonight ther is a possibility of us just relaxing after our REALLY LONG meeting tonight discussing the G20 schedule etc

Being a sad Scottish Ex-Pat I'm listening to the bbc world service right now. Its just a bit reassuring to here the news in an English accent

Matthew

2009-09-17T20:30:00.000-04:00

One week from today the G20 world 'leaders' will be dining not a mile from were we are sitting right now. We've got the Rage Against the Machine playing, the tacos are being mad, structures are being re-designed. Austin just made a wall from old doors. I'm filling up on orange juice and good music.

Matthew

2009-09-17T15:00:00.000-04:00

Just left the (still ongoing) meeting with the estates folks. Seemed to be going well, think Austin may have some work to do (I'll just be a lacky) In a class about to watch a documentary about teh African-American Revolution. Good times

Matthew

2009-09-17T13:39:00.000-04:00

Faith just told me that last night one of the frat boys smashed his I-Phone up while everyone sang solidarity forever. The power of this political art structure is unstoppable. Someones going to have a bad hangover today.

2009-09-17T13:29:00.000-04:00

Chilling out at the chateau gray skull. Knifes are being sharpened...ooooooh. We have a meeting with estates type people soon to work something out. Faith is literaly strolling over as I type. Wonder what she wants. "children." Strange answer. "send your kids over, just send them right over" Thats a strange in joke involving Ryan and his pre school teaching.

Dance party here last night, the music stopped and everyone including our frat boy neighbours sang solidarity forever. There is a big anarchy A knocking about now and I kinda wish I'd been there now. Time for some 'liberated' breakfast

Matthew (and now Faith too)

Here some beautiful people construct a structure for discourse

2009-09-17T00:17:00.000-04:00

Fate, in limbo.

2009-09-16T22:20:00.000-04:00

Austin here,

Having troubles with Environmental Health and Safety. They want us to follow *very* specific guidelines that cannot be followed at this crucial time. I've requested a special meeting with the school to discuss the adaptability of the structure, see if we can tell us how we can change to meet their requirements.

we're taking down flammable tarps and unsatisfactory load-bearing structures. that should hold 'em.

Teething troubles

2009-09-16T12:17:00.000-04:00

So, its still warm its still sunny and environmental health is trying to shut us down. Apparently our structure is an environmental hazard and further more student affairs have pitched in with their 2 cents. We're going to do all that we can to get this space together. Austin is on his Mac right now doing who knows what while Ryan circumnavigates the structure doing something with cardboard.

Here we have another evolution in this art space. Insecurity

Matthew

2009-09-15T14:05:00.000-04:00

Good Day.

Matthew here, I would say that at this moment the primary function of the artspace is giving me a bit of shade. Its sunny here in Pittsburgh, hopefully this weather will hold out untill the summit is over but knowing my luck its unlikely. So here is a brief synopsis for anyone who is either artistic or politically inclined (so everyone in the world)

Synopsis:
The CMU G20 ARTSPACE is an improvised space for creative inquiry, and the construction of creative dialogue surrounding the G20.

From September 13th, we've been evolving
the structure at the fence as our needs for a safe place in which to question the G20 evolve.

As the week wears on, we will host events,
performances, and artbuilds that will serve to give the collective unheard a voice.

Students have volunteered their time to create this space and we make it available to those who wish to have an open discourse. In juxtaposition to the G20 meetings taking place in Pittsburgh we encourage others to participate as our art evolves with our discussion.

So there you go. I wish to thank Austin and all the other cmu students, pitt students and traveling activists who've helped to provide me with this shade. I'm just the humble keyboard jockey.

Austin has disapeared, probably for the good of my health since last night he made me run along a ledge that was about 20ft high. Just now the political discussion is taking the backfoot to sunshine and Abbey Road. I want an Ice Cream.