PAPERGIRL IS COMING: Papergirl Calgary 2012 is gearing up to showcase and give out an explosion of art. It’s easy to take part. Submit your work. See the exhibition. Ride a bike and pass out works in the giftervention. Or even receive. Papergirl is all about the art of giving art. DEADLINE NOW EXTENDED TO AUGUST 3.
Illustration and photo by Sunshine Frère, courtesy of Papergirl

It’s about the art of giving, the art of creating, the art of a random act.

Papergirl Calgary 2012 is gearing up to hit the streets in a massive act of kindness all in the name of art.

“Papergirl is, put quite simply, the art of giving art. It involves a call for submissions, an exhibition, and a massive ‘giftervention’ were all the works that have been submitted and exhibited are delivered/gifted away at random by Papergirls (and boys!) on bikes,” explained Sunshine Frère, the mind behind Calgary’s Papergirl. (She’s also quick to point out that although see saw the need and spearheaded here, Papergirl is also about the founders, the contributing artists and all the volunteers in the community.)

“Papergirl challenges the what public art and street art actually are, and what they can be. Public art and street art are often more permanent additions to public space. The work remains fixed and tied to one location, it travels via photographs and sharing, it can be seen on a daily basis by those who live and work in the area. In terms of duration, Papergirl street art has an incredibly short life-span. It is on the street only for as long as it takes for the work to exchange hands between gifter and giftee. Then it’s moved to a new location. It further distills the essence of street art, by making the fleeting moment of its street existence all the more ephemeral. It also evokes unique exchanges and conversations about art between friends, strangers, cyclists and artists.”

So do you want to be involved. They’re still looking for works and Papergirl Calgary’s call for submissions ends July 31.

“What have you got, that you have made, that you would like to share with the world? Poetry? Illustration? Embroidered prints? And can it be rolled and transported by Papergirls and Boys on bikes?” asked Sunshine.

All you have to do is follow the instructions to submit and you’re in. Just get them in by July 31, you can even drop them off at the Epcor Centre by hand. UPDATE: Deadline has been extended until August 3 so you have even more time to get it in.

STREAMING IN: Papergirl submissions are piling up in preparation for the epic art giving celebration set to hit Calgary streets this August. You still have time to get your work in (our very own Film Editor Sarah Pynoo was putting the finishing touches to hers this week) with July 31 being the deadline.
Photo by Alyssa McMurry, courtesy of Papergirl

You can also volunteer, be a delivery girl or boy or just attend the show. The exhibition runs August 7 through 17 and the massive giftervention will be taking place throughout the streets of Calgary on August 18.

Sunshine said there are three reasons people should care about the project.

“Altruistic acts of kindness are good for your health. Seriously,” she said.  “There are medical experts and not to mention the sage Dali Lama himself, who concur that this type of behaviour has benefits not only for the giftee, but also the gifter. It is a win win situation. Contributing artists, project volunteers, random strangers and Ride-Out giftervention Papergirl and Paperboy ambassadors – everyone benefits from the art of giving art.”

The second reason is simple. Artists gain exposure and community members have an opportunity to become a collector.

“Number three, the project challenges many established parameters of the art world, those found within the art market, academic art institutions, and even artist run centres,” Sunshine explained. “Art is usually sanctioned by the act of esteemed collectors purchasing it as a luxury item to look good in their home or collection, or by educators, curators and programmers placing work on a pedestal by writing about its theoretical or philosophical merits. The ethos of Papergirl is that it is inclusive (non-juried), randomized and experience driven.”

And Calgary isn’t alone. There are nearly 50 other cites that have their own versions of Papergirl.

“[It's about] spreading the symbolic importance of art in a plethora of equally important directions – each contributing artist, each volunteer tied to the project, each stranger who receives a gift of art – are part of a micro one-to-one gift exchange of object and ideas. But this exchange is also part of a city-wide giftervention and the [Calgary] giftervention is also part of a global movement.”

GETTING READY: Working hard and hanging out at the Papergirl crafting table.
Photo by Alex Lingnau, courtesy of Papergirl

The exhibition runs August 7-17 at the Epcor Centre in the Arts Learning Centre. with an opening celebration on August 9. And keep your eye out for the giftervention on August 18, you might get some art of your own. Check out their website for more information and watch their awesome promo video made by Alex Lingnau.