Notes from a Starbucks – Finalizations

Jeannie’s Zone – “Research”

· DC: “Try not to use the internet to answer questions today.”

· Amy: “Discuss your plan for the Zombie Apocalypse.” (Library Study Rooms)

· Jeannie: “Consider a new perspective” (3^rd floor library)

· Scott: “math equation” mad lib – Mark J

DC’s Zone “Home”

· Jeannie: Arrow pointing to ceiling in the elevator: “Look up an old friend”

· Amy: “Make a homemade Christmas present”

Scott’s Zone “Rec/Leisure/Fun”

· Amy: “Take a walk with a friend ending here!” – Outside of the gazebo

· DC: “In five minutes, stop and make something happen.” – Student Center entrances

· Jeannie: “Stand on your head” - Rec

Amy’s Zone “Busy Zone”

· Amy: Balloons in Pray H lobby: “Write your stresses here to be released.”

· Jeannie: “Look under the bench” – Porter

· DC: “Skip your next class to be Unselfish” – Between Quirk and Pray H

Alessa’s Zone “Old/Abandoned”

· Jeannie: “Find a use for something useless”

· DC: “Take something your obsessed with and abandon it as long as you can.

· Amy: Tree signs “Hug me” “When was the last time we hung out?” “Don’t forget about me”

Please feel free to add placements for these items as well as other notes you may have.

Notes from 2:00 meeting on 11/10

Notes from 2:00 meeting on 11/10:

Scott & Jeannie's addendum:  At the beginning of the meeting, we discussed why we're putting up the tasks in the "anti to-do," as well as starting in on the planning that DC wrote about below.
-We want to address the overlooked, unfinished work, tasks, questions, etc.
    -Unfinished: a project, question or object we have not "completed"
-We need a balance between serious tasks, and silly.
-Once we each pick our areas and tasks, we should meet in person again (as many of us as we can, anyway), go over/revise/trim down the pool of task suggestions, and agree on a final set. Once we're done, we'll match up locations in our areas to go with each other's tasks, then head out (probably) in pairs to put them up.

To clarify the way the tasks/areas work: Even though each person gets 1 topic and 1 area, we don't have to put up only our topic in our own area. For instance, if I'm in charge of the research area, I could have Amy, Scott, Alessa, and DC all coming into the research area to put up their tasks -- my part would just be figuring out the best places for them.  Likewise, I'd be putting up some of my "perspective"-themed tasks in everyone else's areas, too.


DC's notes:
One of the major things we decided to do was divide up the campus into five sections as well as divide the “anti-to do” into five separate topics. For the five sections of campus, they are geographically arranged, but also very unique in character. These areas are:
1. Residence Halls (“Home” Section)
-Composed of the FYC and “The Valley” (8 dorms total and two dining locations
-Could optionally include the Towers and Village, but these areas seem “out of place”
-How many people live here? How many consider it home (maybe survey?)
-What does this area say about home and how we interact with our home sapce?
2. Main classroom buildings (Busy Zone)
-Composed of Alexander, Quirk, Pray-Harrold, Porter (Possibly Marshall)
-High traffic/low quality interactions (hey, hi, what’s up, bye, gotta’ go, etc.)
-How do/can people fit into our “to-do’s” in such spaces
3. South Campus (Old/Abandoned Zone)
-Extends from Sill to Hover to McKenny (Excluding Sherzer)
-Largest in overall area but more open space, less “noise”
-Abandoned dorms (Jones-Goddard), former (now underutilized) Student Union (not Center)
-Lack of renovation, older look, random offices and classes
4. West Campus ([Re]search Zone)
-Includes Mark J, Strong, Rackham, Sherzer, Library, and a few others
-Many science classes, the observatory, and the library point to (re)searching
-It seems the “to-do” list is always being added onto here, what does this say about
community?
5. Northern Campus (Recreation Zone)
-Includes University Park, Student Center, Snow, Rec. Center, Bowen, Warner, etc.
-Focus is on campus life, activities, health
-What happens to our “to-do” lists here? Are they really more relaxed, healthier?

As for topics, the idea was to shatter the normal “to-do” list. What does it mean to counteract this? It seems the overall emphasis is on slowing things down, but here is a brief list (which could be amended if someone makes a good case for it, as this isn’t an all-inclusive list)
1. Self-Reflection
- Taking some me time
-Evaluate choices and purpose
2. Silly Randomness
-Break up the plans we have
-Allow for fun to come into our day whenever
3. (Un)finishing touches
-Progressive things that allow continual contribution from others
-Be OK with being done yourself without the project being finished
4. Different Perspectives
-A focus on altering awareness through sensory perception
-What is really necessary in our “to-do” lists?
5. Breaking Practicality
-Defy the need for reasoning and logic
-Get away from the conventions of a list

Now, each of us will have one section of campus and one topic to focus on and research. The idea is to hopefully do something for each topic in each of the five areas of campus paying attention to its needs. This way, some collaboration is required between us in creating and implanting our non-lists. For locations, I (DC) prefer the Home Zone (Section 1), but the Old/Abandoned Zone (Section 3) also resonates well with me. Of the topics, I want to do Breaking Practicality, but perhaps Silly Randomness would work as well. Jeannie is thinking about doing the Research Zone (Section 4), and Different Perspectives. Scott did seem attached to the (un)finishing touches and completion aspect, so he may be doing that topic, although he had to leave before we were able to cement this.
Post your preferred location and perhaps your secondary location so we can cement those and get to researching the space. As for topics, just make a claim to one or make a case for another and any unclaimed ones will just be swapped out.

Proposal 2.0

Proposal Revision

Taking our feedback into consideration, we have made some important revisions to our project proposal. To move from the idea of a traditional to-do list for students (a list of things we are always meaning to do but constantly forgetting/putting off), we want to “shatter” the list, breaking from the tradition of a list of tedious tasks. When we say “shatter,” we mean doing away with the idea of having all of the items on the list in one place, on one piece of paper, and planting the items all over campus so we can utilize more physical space in our execution. We realized that having to do lists that were meant to be taken at leisure meant that the execution of these items would never be seen or be able to be documented. Having a list per person would isolate them. Shattering our list and scattering it across campus allows students to engage with a list piece together and promotes community bonding.

The next change we made was to the items on the lists themselves. We wanted to have items that people could personally reflect upon as well as items that observers could execute immediately, such as “smile at a stranger.” These items would be spread across campus according to how they interact with the landscape. For example, one of the items on the list is “Try a new perspective” that would be traveling up a staircase or upside down or mirrored on a surface. We could immediately see students’ reactions to this. For an example of personal reflection, we may write a question on an expanse of sidewalk or cement and keep chalk nearby so students can write their answers and admire others’ input. Engaging our list with the space will give our list a poetic essence.

What we want students to gain from this community art experience is to have the feeling of instant productivity and satisfaction. Many times we compose a To-Do list that we never can fully finish. To do lists are looked at with dread. With our list, students are given the opportunity to accomplish tasks we propose within minutes. Not only will they be productive but they will also be leaving an impact, whether physically adding to our project or interacting with it with a friend or even a stranger. As our items will be scattered, they will not feel a pressure to complete a bulk list of items. Because they will be numbered and scattered, this adds a touch of whimsy and playfulness, like a game where you must seek out another clue on campus. By dispersing our items, we also do not place a pressure of one being more important than another.

As for research, we would need to fully scope out campus, perhaps note heavily trafficked areas or secluded areas that we wish people would see. From there we can invent or connect items on our list more harmoniously with the environment. For the heavy trafficked area, we can have items that promote interacting within the crowd of students.

Proposal Revamp!

Hey guys! we're running out of time for the revamp (it's due on the 4th, this Friday), so I thought I'd gather our thoughts in one place. Things we need to discuss/keep discussing:

 -Research: "What specifically do we want to address within the student body?" How do we compete for students' attention? Will we address a specific issue?

-Getting visionary: How do we push people into new territory, or "transform the list into a poetic form of awe and revelation?" How do we inject this with the extraordinary?

Current suggestions from group members:
-ornaments/ornament-like objects hanging from trees, in which people find the to-do list items
-having 1-2 displays of the ornamental objects, mobiles, etc., then having tear-off to-do lists nearby so that people can bring them home without dismantling the artwork

Suggestions from classmates:
"things that will make people act on the spot, such as "smile at the nearest stranger""
 "What would you all rather be doing? Who are you all outside what is expected of you? How can you introduce a prescription for chaos that sets off the trajectory of our collective, let's say, Mundane Monday at EMU? The everyday is inevitable, but it is also oppressive. If I saw a To- Do list, I pray it would be ridiculous"
"I don't think that the list necessarily has to make sense or include things that are possible, that's the idea of it right? It should include items that make you think of things you wouldn't ever normally think about within your daily routine."
 "Some of the new ideas I enjoy in this post are those that especially target individuals and make them think, such as the "relational checklist tasks": "“call a family member”," etc.

Here's Christine & Linette's response, for reference:

Basically, you've done some good initial thinking, but now you need to (1) research, and (2) get visionary. What specifically do you want to address within the student body. You profile EMU students as being very busy and list-oriented; this is interesting, but I'm not sure your list will break them out of their habits and patterns of thought. Giving them another list, in the form of a traditional to-do list, won't push anyone into new territory. First re-consider the items you mention--transform the list into a poetic form of awe and revelation--and second, reconsider the form. How might you transform the list into something less task-oriented, less expedient, less productive? Invest in an extraordinary idea that will inspire others. If you do a little research, you might discover something about students, campus, or business that will significantly shift the focus of your project. What might you want students to rethink in terms of how they live their lives? Why would students take in a to-do list that is not their own? Why would they stop for yours? What will you ask them to remember on the flyer, and what will inspire them to take the imperative seriously? Subverting the practicality of these two forms is a good idea, but now how might you inject the project with a healthy dose of the extraordinary? How will you compete for students' attention in the student union? What specific issue will you address? Hope that helps. Let us know when you've revised your proposal. Thanks, Christine and Linette

Ready, set, DISCUSS!