“A Spoon Full of Craft Helps the Activism Go Down” is Sarah Corbett’s motto. She is the founder of Craftivist Collective: a group of activists whose chosen tools to protest for global justice is simple—craft. The team makes statements in pretty mini-protest pieces, like banners, cards, face masks and then hangs them up in public spaces so passers-by read the messages. Statements on the pieces include issues such as climate change, exploitation of the developing world and many more talking-points about global sustainability. Now the group is turning its sights on hijacking the commercialisation of Valentine’s Day…
Photo by Robin Prime of the Craftivist Collective
There are worldwide craftivists putting their homemade ‘sweetheart’ cards in red envelopes and placing them in random spots on 14 February, 2012; including cities such as London, Coventry, Newcastle and even Bangor and Vancouver. Inside each envelope the commuter will find a note that says:
“I don’t want your box of chocolates, card or flowers. Actions speak louder than those. In return for my love letter and gift to you please show your love by taking action. In the name of love, brighten up someone’s day and remind them of our global community. Inspire them to get stirred up to think about how the poorest people in the world are being affected by climate change, despite having contributed the least to the problem. With love…Member of Craftivist Collective”
Sarah Corbett explains her motives for the unusual protest: “There are so many distractions wherever we live, particularly on Valentine’s Day. Hopefully these Valentine’s cards are a friendly reminder of the difficult circumstances our global neighbours are facing every day. The ‘love notes’ are meant to encourage conversations about compassion to start; even after Valentine’s Day is long over. This is why each year we hijack Valentine’s Day to remind people to ‘show some love’ for their global neighbours as well as the usual smushy stuff.”
Find the letter template, instructions video, images, press release and the design for the key-ring on their website.
If you’d like to join in, find out more by visiting the website: www.craftivistcollective.com
Jameela Oberman is a freelance journalist based in the UK, she specializes in culture, music, art and social justice. Read more at her website: www.jameelaoberman.com
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