AlterNativeArt

Meeting room- Presentation time! Graffiti round the city Akinbode Akinbiyi, Friedrick Ploch and Jamika Ajalon Workshop Athi-Patra Ruga and one of our translators Gomis Mamadou and Hubert Mahela All work and no play Myself and Zohra Opoku

Five days into the Pret-a-Partager workshop and I am overwhelmed! I consider myself to be more of an Art Writer/ Commentator through my blog and a Project Co-ordinator through my paying job, so to be labelled a Theoretician as I have been here has got me stuck in the mud. I have no problems with theories, but the work and the way I like to promote art is more in the area of participation. Participation for me covers accessibility and in particular taking art away from the philosophers and opening it up to the people. For me Theorising can and usually stands as a summbling block as people struggle to grasp concepts. Reading through previous posts and articles I have written, one thing I can definetly say about my style of writting is that it is tres relaxed. I'm more likely to say 'so and so shows this through bla bla bla' than 'so and so reflects this by means of bla bla bla'. I will definetely have to watch my language. I suppose in referencing the work I am doing ...

I've been here barely two day but I have had the opportunity to socialise with artists from the field of fashion, photography, installation and film (to name a few). The project I am here to do is a Fashion and Art workshop, which will take place over the next 7 days. My first task here was to deliver a presentation on African Fashion, which I almost fell off my seat at hearing. After much deliberation I decided it was too broad a topic and narrowed it down to my area of interest 'Body Image Satisfaction' and 'Identity', I used myself as a case study cause I'm just that vain, lol. Actually it relates a lot to the issues I faced when moving Nigeria, where my challenge was retaining who I was, while in Lagos, something I had struggled to do on previous occassions. If you know anything about Nigeria you will know that fashion is a very important part of almost every womans life, its not a hobby but a life style. The obsession with brand and elitism are more rife t...

Im on my way to Dakar to participate in a workshop around Fashion and Art. Looking at the delegate list last night I had more than a slight complex! I am however looking forward to gaining insite into their work and networking with artists and fashion designers based on the continent so I cant really complain! Plus Darkar I am told is such a beautiful city, I look forward to blogging from there. Here is a list of some interesting Nigerian designers/ artists working with cloth. Deola Sagoe: http://www.deolasagoedesign.com/ Sokari Douglas Camp: http://www.sokari.co.uk/ (SEE ASOEBI) Yinka Shonibare: www.yinka-shonibare.co.uk/

I tried not to get too involved in the presidential election in America, after all I don't live there and have no right to vote. BUT today I witnessed something that has moved me beyond belief! That the current president of the United States of America is of African decent is not a small matter. For a long time I questioned why people were voting for him and whether or not they took the time to read his policies, I assumed it was solely because he was Black.In a bid to dispel this many friends directed me to his policies and to video footage of him speaking (He truly is articulate and actually mesmerising to watch). A friend was relaying that a friend of his watched his grandma cry at the results as there was a time when she herself could not vote, yet here she was watching an African American become president. This was history in the making, and that which was being felt by individuals as well as communities. There are times when we feel that making a stand will not produce a resu...

Having just spent time working in the field of video art I stumbled across the Fifteen Seconds of Fame site, which is running alongside the Andy Warhol exhibition currently at the Hayward gallery. The site runs on the premise of Warhol's famous quote 'In the future everyone will have their fifteen minutes of fame' The site invites people to enter a fifteen second clip of them self in order to compete for a screening of their clip at the Hayward as well as other Warhol goodies. Have fun http://www.15secs.tv/competition.php

I have spent the better half of this week supervising a Video Art Workshop here in Lagos and its been really exciting working with artist from around Nigeria who work in a broad range of arts, from sound art to photography, poetry to performance. Most of the artists were experiencing Video Art for the first time and now they are really running with it! See http://artspeakafrica.blogspot.com/ for more info. The workshop has been run by members of theoneminutes organisation, who work with video art that lasts only a minute, see www.theoneminutes.org, also see my residencies section for their current open call. Watching the artist work made me a little jealous as I would love to produce my own piece (when you work in arts admin you sometimes wonder whether or not you should be producing work)! I had a lot of encouragement from the lead artists and the participants who pushed me to come up with a concept. Having worked in both poetry and fashion I gravitated to these two areas of intere...

I want to direct you to the fantastic new site http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/ Catch a Vibe is the new site from the people who brought you www.sayitloud.org.uk. It was with Say It Loud that I first started commenting on art and theater by writing reviews, so I am very happy to see them moving on and up! Do visit the site which offers information on Afro-Caribbean arts/ entertainment in and around London, film/music/book reviews and much much more! Also if you think yourself a budding writer why not get in touch with them about doing a piece. http://www.catchavibe.co.uk/

Hi all, I would normally include this in my residencies/ opportunities section but as its something I'm working on I decided to make it a full on post. It takes place in Lagos so if you or anyone you know is interested please pass on the details. I am really interested to see what is happening in Africa in the way of video art and new media and I welcome the programme. Having had the chance to speak with the artist Goddy Leye I see that there is definitely a presence within the continent and I am interested to hear a bit more. If you are a video artists based in Africa or in the diaspora it would be lovely to hear from you as the contemporary arts organisation I am working with has committed to promoting the art form throughout 2009. Other exciting news: I have just started blogging for artsadmin. My first post is up alongside some really great articles: http://artsadminartsblog.blogspot.com/ VIDEO ART WORKSHOP The Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos is pleased to present its first ...

If you keep up to date with my posts via the Taking It Global site do visit the Blogger page. You will be able to find opportunities/ residencies that can not be viewed via that version: http://alter-native-me.blogspot.com/

Friday 24 October 2008 - Saturday 1 November 2008 Southbank Centre Belvedere Road London SE1 8XX Poetry International 2008 is about freedom. It celebrates poetry’s enduring ability to transcend doctrine, spin and censorship, to confirm, in John Berger’s words that ‘in the world we live in today poetry is an unbowed, unspinned means of communication’. We celebrate poetry in translation by looking at Palestine, magnified in significance by the untimely death of Mahmoud Darwish. Speechless presents poetry beyond censorship from South East Asia. Six Seasons evokes the poetic moods of Bengal through text and music, and some of the greats in world poetry, including Jorie Graham, Mark Doty and Tomas Venclova, read from their latest work. Look out too for Lemn Sissay’s specially curated installation running throughout the festival and join us for a reading from his new collection, Listener. My picks from the festival are: Sean O'Brien Sunday 26 October 2008 Sean...

So I've popped into London for a wedding and over the week I found time to catch the last day of ' The House of Victor and Rolf' , chill out at the Plain Jane's launch night ' Firsts ', Visit the Southbank (love it) and plan an event with Artsadmin and I am Thinktank , 'Ive Got 2012 Seconds to (Lo)go' (I'm trying to decide whether or not to do a photo journal to illustrate this. Hmmm, OK maybe 2mrrw). The event takes place on Saturday at Toynbee Hall Aldgate East. Do stop by if your looking for an alter-native way to spend your Saturday + its FREE!!!! Details below: Please book online here to avoid disappointment as there is limited capacity to these events http://purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase?agency=ARTSADMIN&organ_val=25906&schedule=list&event_val=0057 Youth led programming at Artsadmin Through out the past year Artsadmin has worked with over 100 young people on various Live Art projects. Artsadmin At Home gives our partici...

Seun Kuti and Egypt 80 5-6 October, 2008 Cargo, Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London Seun Kuti is Fela Anikulapo Kuti's youngest son. Seun's father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, was Nigeria's most beloved popular musician and most acerbic social critic until his death in 1997.Seun started learning to play saxophone and piano when he was eight, and not a year later he was already performing in front of live audiences. He began his career as support band for his father's band, Egypt 80. It is with this same band that he now performs; meaning that Seun is just about the youngest in the band; all of whom have performed with the legendary Fela Kuti on stage. Seun Kuti songs, are filled with the corruption, ignorance, malady, sadness, pollution and the many other ills that ravage contemporary Africa, but none the less are absolute musical treasures, flamboyant, jubilatory songs that make you want to get up and dance. With the same energetic and booming voice as Fela, Seun has added h...

By far one of my favourite artist, Yinka Shonibare, is being exhibited at the Sydney based Museum of Contemporary Art. See below for more details: The Museum of Contemporary (MCA), Sydney announces a major mid-career survey of works by British-born Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare MBE. Yinka Shonibare MBE works across diverse media to explore ideas about African contemporary identity and the legacy of European colonialism in the present. Shonibare's art considers social class and aesthetics, and is characterised by the use of recurring visual symbols such as Dutch wax fabric. This exhibition presents twelve years of the artist's career, encompassing painting, sculpture, large-scale mixed media installations, photography and film. It is curated by MCA Senior Curator Rachel Kent who has worked closely with the artist on its realisation. Yinka Shonibare MBE is accompanied by a 224 page monograph by Prestel Publishing. It features major essays by Rachel Kent and American art histori...

Ok so I have been so busy with Camp I have neglected my blog. I am so sorry! I had a scroll down my page and I can see a need to tidy it up a bit (my opportunities bit is in need of updating). No worries, camp is over and out and I have dedicated tomorrow to getting you up to speed on things in London and Lagos, ooh and there are pix! Plus I was told that its hard for people who arent bloggers to leave feedback so if you have any for me good or bad ( I can handle it), then you can email me at layobrown@yahoo.com . Merci x

It is amazing how much more free time I find I have when I'm in Nigeria, I actually read a book in two days, time I just could not spare in England. To capitalise on this I have decided to join a book club, started by a very good friend of mine and open to all. Please see details below if your in the area: A story is always better if you have someone to share it with. For those who enjoy literature and for those who wished they did!!! This is an exciting and new way to come, discuss, review and express your thoughts regarding a book you have read. We intend to read a book every fortnight then come together to share our views and opinions. We will rotate through themes and genre’s, for example, African literature, Asian literature, autobiographies, Romance, Classics etc. But to start with we will be discussing Half of a Yellow Sun, By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie . It will be a fantastic and fun way to get a better understanding of the books. As this is a group exercise, it will m...

When you move it always takes a bit of time to adjust. This is true when moving house, county and more so when moving country. Had it not been for my last few days in Youth Service I would have been tempted back into my holiday mentality. I am now officially a Lagos State Youth Corper and have had to shake off my London Swagger in order to fit in. This was and continues to be easier said than done as I found myself speaking not only in my full English accent but also using statements like " I have been waiting ages for my uniform' to which I was met with a roar of laughter as my officers and fellow corpers proceeded to mock me. However I am a soldier (well actually I'm a Youth Corper but there's not much difference) and I intend to make it out the other side ALIVE! Now with every institution there are rules and regulations that must be followed i.e do not use the internet to browse porn at work, equal rights, etc. With Youth service there are a host of right and wrong...

I really Loved this poem, I though it was very powerful! The exhibition as a whole was moving in its profiling of the racial struggles but also in relation to the music on play.

The Africa Centre is a Section 21 Company based in Cape Town , dedicated to supporting and celebrating the rich history and contemporary practice of African arts and culture. General Manager Responsibility: To ensure the smooth functioning of the Centre and the effective administration of its various projects. Requirements: At least ten years experience in managing medium scale organisations; proven administrative skills; effective people management skills; high level computer literacy; experience in devising and monitoring budgets; knowledge of, or an interest in the creative sector; own transport. Communications and Marketing Manager Responsibility: To ensure regular communication with the Africa Centre's stakeholders and to coordinate effective marketing, communication and media plans for its various projects. Requirements: Excellent writing skills; at least five years experience in marketing, publicity or PR; knowledge of or interest in the creative sector; sound relationships...

THE STORY OF THE SUPREMES FROM THE MARY WILSON COLLECTION 13th May- 19th October 2008 Victoria and Albert Museum South Kensington Exhibition opening times Daily 10.00-17.30(last ticket sold 16.45, last entry 17.00)Fridays 10.00-21.30(last ticket sold 20.45, last entry 21.00) Advance telephone and online booking By phone on +44 (0)870 906 3883 (more than 48 hours prior to visit only)£5.90 adults, senior citizens, full time students, ES40 holdersIncludes booking fee per ticketOnline booking £5 adults, senior citizens, full time students, ES40 holdersPlus £1 handling charge per transaction In person at the V&A – in advance or on day of visit £5 adults, senior citizens, full time students, ES40 holdersNo handling charge or booking fee Concessions, Groups and Member Rates Half price tickets for Art Fund and D&AD members. Free to under 18s, disabled people and up to two carers, V&A Members and Patrons and pre-booked educational groups Yesterday I spent the afternoon at the V&...

I have been so preoccupied with getting ready for my move to Nigeria that my blog has been neglected these last few weeks. I will however be uploading some new information as the week progresses. Sorry and thanks for the support!

Date Saturday 16th August 2008 2pm - 4.30pm Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos9 McEwen Street, Off Queen Street, Sabo,Opp Methodist Church, Herbert Macaulay St, Lagos. Telephone 0702 8367106 The session will start with a presentation titled:" Re-Imagine Nigeria " – which focuses on the possibilities of young artists getting involved with helping shape a more positive external view of Nigeria via artists exchange programs that encourage cultural diplomacy. Artists Ndubuisi Nduwhite Ahanonu and Harrison Ikibah will present a review of their visit to the cultural diplomacy symposium in Berlin and share with us their experiences and findings. Margie Johnson Reese is the Program Officer for Media, Arts and Culture for the Ford Foundation's Office for West Africa based in Lagos, Nigeria. Margie is most noted for her ability to initiate partnerships among unlikely collaborators and her passion for global culture exchange has led her to focus her expertise on developing programs ...

Society Through The Eyes of South African and Nigerian Artists Vansa Western Cape Space 8-10 Spin Street Cape Town, 8018, South Africa 7-12 August 2008 Opening on 7th August at 17hrs. Curator: Okey Nwafor Nigeria and South Africa have not really been juxtaposed under the platform of the visual arts. Despite epochal positions occupied by these two countries in the African art scene curators have never thought it expedient to bring these countries face to face under art. Both countries although have had cause to work together in different creative quests have never engaged each other under changing artistic paradigm. This exhibition is conceptualized not only as an important occasion to address the above theme but also to compare the extent of experimental motivations among younger artists from both countries. The exhibition hopes to interrogate how society has influenced their creative production contextually and formally. Are their motivations socially relevant? Or have their creativi...

I made up my mind about purchasing this months Italian Vogue pretty much as soon as I heard about the all black issue. I read a lot of comments both for and against buying it but stuck to my guns. Checking in WH Smith religiously for a sign of the issue, I started to think it may just be hoax, after all no one had actually seen a hard copy let alone held it. It was after coming across a supposed release date that my heart again warmed to the reality of owning a copy. I made my way once again to WH Smith and to my astonishment is was still Linda Evangelista staring back at me. This was the last straw! I proceeded to Google the issue and pay another visit to the Italian site. As usual Ebay is always the top result and I decided to click on the link. You can just imagine the look on my face when I saw approximately 8 copies on auction, a couple of which were available to 'buy now' for £20. The tag line read 'Sold out in Newsagents'. My heart could take no more of this! Was...

I am really starting to question my own perception of what constitutes as art. I am challenged daily as I take alternate strides to forming my own art history knowledge. From found art to art activism and now the public as art, it is fair to say there is still very much to be learnt. I stumbled across this article and I would really like to know what other people think about 'Work No. 850' and also the 'Fourth Plinth'. Do these constitute as art? Artworks that put the public centre stage Laura Barton Wednesday July 2, 2008 Original article: http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/visualart/story/0,,2288366,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=40 A volunteer runs through Tate Britain as part of Martin Creed's Work No 850. Photograph: Reuters Every 30 seconds they hurtle through the gallery, short, damp breath stirring the dry museum air. These are the runners who have been recruited for Work No 850, Martin Creed's latest exhibition at Tate Britain. Creed, who was awarded ...

Check out Fresh on the Stage tonight! more info http://alter-native-me.blogspot.com/2008/05/fresh-on-stage.html

Last night I was lucky enough to attend the English National Ballet show @ the Royal Festival Hall (RFH) and it was fantastic. I cant pretend to be well versed in the art of Ballet, but I definitely appreciate the beauty and strength in each movement. If you are in the area/ free this weekend definitely try and get down to the showing or attend some of the free events and workshops taking place on the Clore ballroom in the RFH. There are also opportunities to watch the cast rehearse. If you've never been to the ballet then do take the opportunity to see some of the best dancers in the UK take centre stage at such an amazing venue. Also, if like me you are so easily distracted then I'm here to say that the ballet is so for you. Each act is broken down to bite sized scenes that are so visually stimulating you wont be thinking about what to have for dinner. more info: http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/festivals-series/english-national-ballet

Jay-Z tore it up at Glastonbury on the weekend, silencing critics such as Noel Gallagher who proceeded to rubbish Jay-z’s selection as the headliner. I read and laughed as people wrote into London papers saying how s**t Jay-Z was. First of all most of these people probably couldn’t distinguish between his songs let alone give any reason for using such derogatory/ strong language other that ‘Money, Ho’s and Clothes’ and in Jigga’s words ‘What kind of facts are those?’ Even if you don’t listen to a certain type of music is it right to say it is s**t, I mean a multi-platinum artist like Jay Z???? Most of the bands that play Glastonbury seem only to be big in this little island called the UK and could no way compete in terms of fans or records sold. I mean I understand the festival is meant to be about guitar bands but what about sheer entertainment and showmanship? Well I guessed Jigga showed up and showed off! Now I am no whelly wearer or a camp out side for a gig type of girl but the pr...

April 2—June 29, 2008 Image: Dawit L. Petros, Proposition 1: Mountain, 2007 Flow is the first twenty-first century exhibition focusing on art by a new generation of international artists from Africa. These artists are uniquely conscious of, and responsive to, recent African history, global economics and the idiosyncratic culture of the new millennium. Presenting approximately seventy-five works in all media by approximately twenty emerging international artists under the age of forty, this exhibition will feature models of imaginary architecture, wall sculptures of beads and decorative elements, digital photography, new video, paintings and site specific installations, among other media. The artists, who hail from eleven African nations, reside mainly in Europe and North America and travel to and from Africa regularly. The majority of them have never been included in major U.S. museum exhibitions and are virtually unknown in this country. Modeled after Freestyle, our landmark 2001 exhi...

Original article found at: http://www.frieze.com/comment/article/weighing_the_africa_in_south_africa/ Opinion The morning papers on May 19 recorded a grim scene. A young Mozambican man was pictured on hands and knees, his body engulfed by flames. Set upon by a group of South African youths, the unidentified man had been stabbed and severely beaten before being set alight. Taken in Ramaphosa, an impoverished settlement east of Johannesburg, the photograph forms part of a mosaic of news photographs documenting the ruthless wave of attacks targeting African immigrants resident in South Africa’s townships. Five days after the publication of the Ramaphosa photograph, the deceased man’s identity remained a mystery. On Friday May 23, Johannesburg’s The Star newspaper attempted to honour the man’s life with an obituary, of sorts. ‘They called him Mugza,’ read the front-page headline. The narration was sparse: the man had shared a shack with another Mozambican man, also murdered; the two had o...

The performance was originally featured in the Lift Festival in Stratford and now they are back for a second showing: Theatre Royal Stratford East's Young Actors Company present the story of Jamie Lee, former tough girl in her neighbourhood, who struggles to make a new start while her old mates are involved on the fringes of crime. Running for 2 performances only on Wednesday 2nd July and Thursday 3rd July at 8pm SPEAK tells East London stories that need to be heard. You can book your tickets online at http://www.stratfordeast.com/ or by calling: 02085340310. Tickets are just £6 or £4 for concessions. If you're booking as a group then we can offer 1 free ticket for every 10 purchased. Don't miss this exciting opportunity to see some of the finest young talent Stratford has to offer. I really enjoyed the production and would recommend you go and see it, especially if you have/ are a young person who is dealing with some of the themes in the performance.

This Day (Lagos) Original article from: http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200806230421.html Naomi Campbell: "It is fantastic that THISDAY and Mr Obaigbena are helping improve the positive awareness of Africa as too many people have stereotypical and negative views of the Continent. He obviously had a remarkable vision, a real passion and a special message... The more I found out about his mission to promote positivity and understanding, the more I wanted to be involved going forward with the 'Africa Rising' Festival" GA_googleFillSlot("AllAfrica_Other_Inset"); Nduka Obaigbena: "Right now the international community seems to be dealing with the symptoms not the problems of Africa. The symptoms are poverty and disease, but the problem is lack of social and physical infrastructure. This initiative is to highlight the need to focus sustainable solutions on the problems through massive investment in infrastructure and microfinance in order to rebuild Af...

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Guffaw with God…Four Monks And A Nun return with a new show! ”beautifully performed sketches" The London Lite "A show not to be missed” The Link Are these Christians really funny? Or do they deserve to be thrown to the lions? Only one way to find out...come along. See free sketches at: http://www.myspace.com/fourmonksandanun 25 July 2008 at 7:30pm tickets £7.50

Original article can be found: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/2162846/Italian-Vogue-shows-black-models-only.html Italian Vogue has used only black models for the July issue of the magazine, in a statement against discrimination in the fashion world. More than 100 pages of the issue, including the cover, will feature images of black women taken by the acclaimed New York based photographer Steven Meisel. The pictures will be accompanied by articles on successful black women in arts and entertainment. The move is in reaction to recent anger over the reluctance of fashion magazines to feature black models on their covers. Many industry insiders claim black girls are not used because they just "do not sell". Leading black figures, including models, designers and agents, have now formed a protest group in New York to highlight the problem of racism in the industry. Italian Vogue's editor, Franca Sozzani, said her decision was influenced by the New York g...

Ok so my guilty pleasure is by far contemporary Nigerian music, I just can't help myself- IM OBSESSED! I have decided to pretend I am posting this to promote Made Magazine- Nigeria's answer to GQ magazine, and not putting it up so that I can play it with out having to do a tedious search on Youtube. http://mademags.com/#

Most of the oil in Nigeria comes from the delta area, I spoke about the exhibition at CCA Lagos that I attended on the issue. The issues with crime and fraud started with low amount of money being fed back into the communities and poverty increasing. HOWEVER growing up in the UK I have never felt so afraid of being here in all my life. I feel like the fear epidemic has caught up to me and I literally feel the tension with every step I take. SO as I count down to my move to Nigeria for a one year residency I am preparing to put together some work on migration and on identity. I found this video very interesting as a Nigerian / Black-British-African or what ever box I have to tick. Hope it encourages and challenges you either as artists or as individuals to highlight these type of isssues in your work.

Thursday 26 June, 7-8.30pm Venue: Rivington Place , London, EC2A 3BA Andrew Esiebo, Mahmoud Khaled and Goddy Leye join Gasworks' Residencies Curator Mia Jankowicz for a panel discussion. The discussion will reflect on the artists' projects and working approaches, while the practical hurdles - from visa difficulties to working with their subjects of interest – will be drawn upon as a source of reflection on internationalised and residency practice. Their residency forms part of an exchange in which three UK artists have taken up residencies at institutions in South Africa and Kenya through Triangle Arts Trust . Admission is free, however as capacity is limited booking is essential. To book, phone 020 7749 1240 or email: bookings@rivingtonplace.org

23rd June 2008, 7pm Nigerian artist Andrew Esiebo , currently on an artist residency in London co-hosted by Gasworks and The Photographers' Gallery, will be speaking about his participation in Black Box, a photography collective in Nigeria and his work in London. He will be In Conversation with Nilu Izadi from Photodebut. Free, booking required To book please contact the Information Desk on 020 7831 1772, or email info@photonet.org.uk

The Lift Festival Stratford opened on Thursday night with a house warming party complete with Chinese food, wine and live music. The event saw the return of Lift to it's roots of producing an International Theatre Festival, which it has not produced since 2001. It also saw the opening of their new mobile venue The Lift. The building is quite pleasing to the eye, almost tipi like in structure with a multi-coloured based design over a white backdrop. The structure houses a screen, devoted to a film on how the lift was made and two much larger indoor and outdoor screens. A stage has also been built which continues to platform established and emerging artist throughout the festival. The event makes use of both Stratford Circus Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East, the later showcasing the fantastic Dangalnama. Dangalnama is a gripping account of sectarian rioting in India since the assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984. Performed in five languages, with English subtitles the piece...

After spending time with the I am a Think Tank project I feel it is only right to promote Art Activism by directing you to a post from the Guardian Blog, around successful protest! How to Protest- and Survive A poorly planned boycott is pointless, while a badly worded banner can land you in the cells. In this extract from her new book, Bibi van der Zee explains how to campaign effectively - without falling foul of the law Bibi van der Zee The Guardian , Thursday June 5 2008 Article history Direct action Campaigns against the over-packaging of food have jolted supermarkets into acknowledging the need for change, while campaigns against the growth in aviation have kept airlines and the emissions in the headlines. In Wales and the west of Ireland, new gas pipelines have been the subject of unwanted attention. Direct action, done well, is probably one of the best ways of raising awareness and even getting a final concession. Many of these actions have involved breaking the law: criminal da...