Pikaland

Microcosm Publishing

Microcosm is a small publisher based in Portland, where zines are du jour and their belief is as refreshing as publishers go. They specialize in DIY (Do-It-Yourself) goods that teach self-empowerment and their website offers up a slice of what they do – from giving out transparent and accessible financial records (their minimum wage is USD$9, capped at $13) and a sliding-scale pricing for all their wares (yes, it’s true!). I’ve requested a couple of books for review, and for those who are very much into DIY (and not just crafts, mind you), I think you might just feel as though you’ve hit gold.

[quote] You determine what you can afford to pay for the items that we publish ~ Microcosm [/quote]

Homesweet Homegrown: How to Grow, Make, And Store Food, No Matter Where You Live by Robyn Jasco shows you how easy it is to sustain yourself with a garden. And if you don’t have one, create one instead with the space you have. The topics run from the basics: how to cultivate your seeds, irrigating your garden with an old hose, recipes for those delicious freshly picked greens and even the topic of fermentation; with lots of information in between that’s neatly organized between chapters.

DIY Screenprinting Handbook by John Isaacson is an instructional book on screenprinting in a quirky comic book format. Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the concept – between these pages (and the strips) there are lots of information that’s delivered with a wittiness that makes it all that much easier to digest. There’s also interviews with other screenprinting artists in between that offers a break in the comic book sequence. The dissemination of textbook information into a storyline – with Isaacson playing the lead role – makes for a lively read out of mere instructions.

See more books over at Microcosm Publishing!

Have a lovely weekend folks!

The Heidelberg Project

[quote]”My art is a medicine for the community. You can’t heal the land until you heal the minds of the people.” ~ Tyree Guyton[/quote]

Painter and sculpture Tyree Guyton (that’s him in the first picture, on the right) took matters into his own hands to create The Heidelberg Project – transforming Detroit’s East Side into an outdoor gallery in an effort to combat urban blight. His neighborhood has rows of houses brightly painted in myriads of patterns, shapes and forms; including one that has is literally plastered with soft toys. They’re all art installations in themselves.

Through his art, Guyton has drawn attention to the plight of Detroit’s forgotten neighborhoods and spurred discussion and action:

[quote] The HP works with neighborhood children to educate them on art, community and environment. These children walk to school past burned-out houses, rubble, debris, crime and decay. Our purpose is to offer them another view, another perspective – to positively change the environment the children see every day. In the process, we help build self-esteem, encourage cooperation and foster a sense of pride in their community. [/quote]

Who says that art can’t change the world?

Via.