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on July 22, 2010
Alex M. Smith
Posted project update #3Ah cripes, not this time
Post CommentWell, we gave it the old 'out of college for several years now' try.
Thank you all so much for believing in us and putting your wallet where your belief was.
We will keep in touch with future projects and if we're not already in touch, feel free to keep in touch with us at:
Alex - www.asisfoto.com / alexasis@mac.com
and
Jessica- jessdelfino@yahoo.com or at the link below
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jessica-Delfino-dirty-folk-rock/55434481749...
If you "like" me, click "like" and you will receive the semi-regular updates I send out from my FB page.
Thanks again and have a safe, hot summer.
Truly,
Jessica and Alex -
on July 20, 2010
Alex M. Smith
Posted project update #224 hours to go -- it's articles like this one that make me want to do this
http://theweek.com/article/index/205160/the-bp-spill-what-do-the-methane-bubbles-mean
This article from my favorite news source, "The Week" Magazine, talks about the methane bubbles and what they mean, and it scares the bejeezus out of me. It makes me want more than ever to go to the Gulf at risk of life and limb and simultaneously want to be no where near the Gulf, for fear of life and limb.
Alex and I have been so touched by the outpouring of kindness and generosity. I really mean that. Unless we get a $3000 miracle backer, we're not going to be able to do this project. But that doesn't mean we're going to do nothing.
I'm still going to write ridiculous songs about feminist and asinine things, including this oil disaster. That's what I do, and I don't see myself stopping any time soon. Alex will continue to take breath taking and thought provoking photos. He's good at it and likes to do it.
Also, I propose August 1st be "Don't drive" day. Spread the word. Ride a bike, roller skate, ride the back of a loved one. Do whatever you do, just don't drive. And tell your friends. If you can't do it August 1st, it's ok. The first day of every month can be "don't drive" day, and any other day you can not drive or rely on oil as little as possible. Lessen oil's suffocating and earth altering grip on society, beginning with you. If you buy a car, buy a hybrid car. Get groceries locally at farmer's markets. Use public transportation. Carpool. Install solar panels. Use wind power. Get (or make!) a solar panel charger for smaller items like cell phones, etc.
In addition, I would like to commend those of you out there who are doing all you can to make a difference. You do some of the things listed above, plus, you plant your own gardens. You make your own clothing. You recycle. You bike commute. You make activist art. You raise your intelligence by reading, staying informed, and share knowledge with your friends and family. You see through the bull-loney. You know who you are. I am so thrilled to know you and know what you do, and I cherish you for it.
Some people think that doing nothing is just as good as doing something, and maybe they're right. But that doesn't work for me. I can't sit back and do nothing. I won't. I have beloved family in the Gulf area and I love my friends and my life. I won't give up on them or on you. I'm compelled to do whatever I can, even if that means just picking up a video camera and making a movie, or writing a song, or sending out this cheesy, hippy toned message. It's the absolute least I can do, and that, to me, feels better than doing nothing at all.
If I can't make this documentary, and even if I can, I choose to use this crisis as fuel for the fire in my art and music, and encourage you to do the same in your own way. It's a fire that is going to be burning for probably the rest of our lives and maybe for the rest of time. We might as well embrace it, rather than ignore it, and make some food for thought out of it.
"We didn't start the fire, it was always burning since the world's been turning" -- Billy Joel
See you at the barbecue!
Love,
Jessica (& Alex)
Post Comment -
on July 19, 2010
Alex M. Smith
Posted project update #1Just 2 days left -- Dirty Rainbow update
Post CommentDear Friends:
Alex and I are very ambitious and motivated about going to the Gulf to make a documentary. So far, we have raised $3000+ dollars. Our budget calls for $6400, not much to make a feature film. However, we are lucky to have much equipment donated and people helping us all the way there and back with places to stay and so much more. We are using Kickstarter which insists you must make your entire budget or you can't have any of it.
If you are passionate about the Gulf and the oil crisis, if you have $1000 burning a hole in your pocket, if you'd like to be credited as a producer, if you are a compassionate philanthropist, if you owe me money, PLEASE consider donating to this project. This is the last hurrah. We have 2 days left to see if we can drum up the remaining $3000.
Already, I've been warmed and impressed by how generous our friends are. This is a cause Alex and I care deeply about and it has floored me to see how kind and caring you all are as well.
What can you do to help? Please forward the link below - paste it to your Facebook, post it on your Twitter page, email it to a friend who loves funding eccentric art projects.
We promise not to make a documentary that stinks. We PROMISE. You are going to love what we bring back.
Here is the link to the page. Please donate today if you can or tell a friend if you've donated already! Any amount will be greatly appreciated. Especially $3000. Time is running out for this project. Thank you so much for helping and giving us your eyes, your money, your time and encouragement.
Love,
Alex & Jessicahttp://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1290671600/dirty-rainbow-crisis-at-the-gulf/backers
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on July 8, 2010
Alex M. Smith launched a project
Dirty Rainbow: Crisis at the Gulf by Alex M. Smith
A documentary and accompanying photo series focusing on the people of New Orleans during the BP oil spill.
Funding Unsuccessful (07/22/2010)
Alex M. Smith
New York, NY
Alex M. Smith is an NYC based photographer, SVA grad and alumni photographer of Rolling Stone, Impose Magazine and others. He loves Depeche Mode, walks in the park and his cat, Miss Puss.
Here is my comment. http://www.youtube.com/watch...
You are both being the hummingbird. And I praise you for it. I know you will find another way to go and make something with this energy- we support you!
I hope you'll also be in touch with the Emergency Committee to Stop the Gulf Oil Disaster, folks who are committed to building resistance and taking on the work to stop this capitalist oil gusher & environmental crime right there on the ground, busting through BP's and the govt's attempt to stop people from even knowing what's going on, let alone taking action. The videos on their website http://www.stopgulfoildisaster.org/ are unforgettable.
Hey, can we all do this again but on Paypal or something? I figure y'all can get together the $6000 eventually, but having an arbitrary deadline where the funding disappears isn't going to make it easy to get there. I've still got money to throw at you if you're still in the mood to make a movie.