Originally published here
Why indeed:
1) I think it’s a great idea. I heard about Papergirl Berlin only in 2009, when I lived in Leipzig. The entire concept of the project made perfect sense with my own views on art. Around this time much of what I was doing involved making/doing small things and leaving them in public space for someone to find them. Akin to ringing doorbells and running away.
2) Cycling’s time has come in Dublin. For many years Dublin was a rather hostile place for cyclists, but in the last three or four years – excuse me, let’s not mince our words here: Since The Economy Went Tits-Up* – people have been slowly coming around to the idea that a dorty big car is not necessarily the most ideal mode of transport. Especially considering that Dublin is actually pretty compact, and it’s public transport system leaves SO much to be desired. There are a lot more people cycling in the capital, and accordingly, more lobbying for better conditions and recognition of cyclists.
3) I am loathe to keep mentioning the e-word, but you know the way The Economy is dying a thousand more deaths every day? Well, it seems to be making people and businesses and organisations more open to doing things for fun, that won’t actually make money, heaven forbid. There’s a lot of pop-up restaurants, galleries, and other such things around the place right now, and somehow a Papergirl Action seems to be the next logical step. Papergirl makes absolutely no money for anyone (in fact, I am 100% certain I will be out of pocket by the end of it) and that, generally speaking, is the way I think art should be.
4) Selfish personal reasons: I finished Art College in 2010 and couldn’t bring myself to do anything much for over a year afterwards. This is my way of getting back into the proverbial groove, where ever that may be.
* Please note that I actually wrote the bulk of this about two months ago, and since then the economy has actually digested itself
