The easiest way to participate in the Landing in America
Project is to send your snapshot with a statement
about American democracy or a very short story about
your experience in playing a role as a member of a participatory democracy. If you vote, for example, you could simply identify yourself and say "I vote." I'm not sure we would be able to include everyone who could say just that but you don't have to be a legend here to get involved!

We will include your picture and caption in
the diorama and viewers will have access to
your information by clicking the image you send.

You might say: "I fought in Vietnam." -OR-
"I was arrested protesting the War in Vietnam."

You might say: "I was the first in my family to vote in the USA."-OR-You might say: "I voted in 12 Presidential Elections."

-OR- "I ran for Congress in 1956," -OR- "I was elected
to Congress in 1968>"

You might say: "I was arrested in a sit-in against the war" at the democratic convention in Chicago, 1968 or "I was a policeman at the Democratic Convention in Chicago, 1968.

Or, "I petitioned the Supreme Court on behalf of Women's Rights."

Or, "I joined the League of Women's Voters."

or, "I challenged the ruling of the 17th Court of Appeals that deprived my right to live where I now live."

"I became A US Citizen on May 17, 2008 ..."

If your story is more elaborate or contains lots of details, let us know.

If you are a performer, artist or poet and would like to contribute, please let us know.

Applications accepted through August 7th. Participation in the project will be voluntary and limited by practical considerations.

Contact johnobrien for more information. Thanks in advance! No phone calls please.

Call for Participants
"Landing in America"

America.. What does it mean to you?

This is an interactive multi-media installation that will be presented at Intermedia Arts as part of The UnConventional Gathering Place, a program of The UnConvention. The UnConvention is a series of non-partisan citywide programs around the theme of participatory democracy through art, education and journalism leading up to the dates of the Democratic National Convention (August in Denver) and the Republican National Convention (September in St. Paul).

I'm seeking participants who would like to be photographed or have their photo and story included in a 3D interactive video project that is somewhat like a video game that will be projected in the gallery as an installation.

The story involves a spirit who falls to earth and explores a busy city scene though a "veil of ignorance" wondering aloud about the physical, commercial and political elements that we tend to take for granted. The piece is built upon these forms: a spoken narrative & an interactive video diorama showing an intersection in the city. Everything is planned as a 360 degree panorama, half showing the daylight, the other half - the night. In this 360 turn are hyper-linked media files that contain the pictures and identities of people who participate. People will appear on the street, in windows, on stages in store fronts performing music etc. Each of the people has a story about themselves. Users will access these stories by clicking the images. The piece isn't about proselytizing- the choir already knows this tune- its more about introducing the audience to some people around here that they probably don't know and allowing these stories to be shared.

The overall theme of the event is participatory democracy. All are welcome - you don't have to be a legend of any kind to be involved but I am particularly interested in hearing from and working with people who have had compelling experiences with or who have experienced challenges to our basic liberties as Americans -- or those for whom America has served as a refuge from the kind of political exclusion, violence, rage and oppression we fear the most.

So far we have a number of very interesting people involved but are open to meeting more a few more. Participants will be photographed or video taped and either interviewed or given a chance to provide photos and statements. For technical reasons this kind of media can't be displayed on the internet but some pieces with the same style of animation that will be used are here and here.

To participate, please apply by sharing a bit about yourself and your story.

Contact johnobrien for more information. Thanks in advance! No phone calls please.