In typical fashion, Linette and I, now just a few days away from the Shadow Art Fair, are beginning to think about what goods we’ll be peddling. I think we just decided over beers that I would be in charge of Christmas ornaments and that she would be working on a new issue of Slippery Shanty, the little Ypsi-centric zine that we first introduced last year. And, toward that end, she’s put out a last-minute call for submissions. Here, in hopes that some of you might have stories worth contributing, is her request:
Hello friends,
If you have a moment, I’d like your stories and ideas! I’m working on a little project, perhaps one that will arrive by Saturday, I am hoping. It’s a little zine about invention and ideas, the second issue of Slippery Shanty.
I’m interested in the idea of making something from nothing, of being a pioneer (or being convinced of that!). One friend believes she invented a popular catch phrase. Another claims credit for repopularizing an outdated mode of facial hair… I invented the term information superhallway, but couldn’t find a use for it before the relevant moment (in 1992) disappeared… My grandpa invented a little theater in his basement, one which involved tin foil, a bunch of kotex pads stuck to the inside of some amps for better acoustics presumably and a mandolin. Another friend’s dad invented a hot dog cooker from some wire and a battery.
But, you don’t actually have to have done something – you could have just had an idea first… and then have seen your idea made real by someone else! Mark says he thought of Super Size Me first.
Lastly, I’d like your spare ideas please- projects that you have had for a while and will never do- and so you are open to offering them up to others, free. I submit my idea of a musical about Temple Grandin, the autistic woman who designs more humane slaughter for cattle, to anyone who wants it! I’ve often thought that it would be nice if there were some home delivery service for baked and mashed potatoes… they take so long to cook! Maybe it’s an idea for a restaurant, an art installation.
I don’t need long stories- this is a spare little book I’m making! a paragraph or less would be swell. I might edit your stuff. Drawings and diagrams would be great too! It’ll appear anonymously but you’ll get a thank you in a contributor list, and a zine of course.
Can you do this before 8am Thursday? Many thanks! Linette
If you do have a story, please don’t leave it as a comment. Instead, email it to me at markmaynard11@gmail.com. We want for the stories to be a surprise on Saturday… Thanks.