بينما كثرت في الآونة الأخيرة البسبسات حول مخطط كتاتونيا الجديد, تعالت الأصوات بعضها متفائل و البعض الآخر حذر و مترقب أبعاد هذه الخطوة التاريخية حيث أن تمدن القطط هو خطوة تقدمية تجر تصعيداً للصراع الطبقي نحو حتمية الصدام التاريخية ما بين حركة القطط الشوارعية الأممية و برجوازية القطط المنزلية التي دأبت على احتكار مصادر الغذاء و أدوات الأمان, يالاضافة الى تواطئ البرجوازية التاريخي مع الحيوانات البشرية, العدو الأزلي لحركة القطط الشوارعية.
الرفاق من قطط أوروبا الشرقيا و النيبال دعوا الى الاسراع بتنفيذ مخطط كتاتونيا مشددين على أهمية بنائها على أسس النفد الفططي للتجربة البشرية مطالبين بضرورة قيام كتاتونيا على بناء واقعي علمي ينتصر لحقوق القطط الشوارعية الحرة و يؤمن لهم موارد العيش التي بقيت حتى ثورة كتاتونيا العظيمة مقتصرة على برجوازية القطط المنزلية من مأوى, ماء, مصادر الغذاء, عوامل الأمان الضرورية, الراحة و ثقافة القطط الجنسية المنفتحة.
د. قطوان البسابسة
*Extracts from [CATS: Rough Exhibition] (work-in-progress) @Makan
http://interruptions.ning.com
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
[Cats: The Workshop] day five, six, seven, eight and counting...
Woke up an hour late! Rushed to the car and gunned through Amman's serpentine streets leading to Makan.
The past few days were quite productive for the team handling the Catatonia Account.
Time to produce a collective blog post…
It was decided that we will hold a rough exhibition, a.k.a. "A Work in Progress," at Makan between Tuesday and Wednesday. The opening is at 8:30 p.m.
What have we done so far…?
Dana created cat-related commercial product logos...they are quite innovative and will soon adorn Makan's wall.
The room on the left at the far end of Makan is turning into quite a visual sanctuary thanks to Dina and Rula, who have been working on it non-stop.
While Rula drew Elevations Dina worked on Perspectives that included an aerial shot of Paris Circle. Soon someone will be caught in the red ;-)
The perspective wall is quite amazing and will blow people out of their minds—then again the overall idea of Interruptions' Cat Workshop will undoubtedly have the same effect.
Someone attending the exhibition on Tuesday might say, "What were those guys and girls on cause I want to have the same?"
Needless to say it was imagination followed by inspiration and teamwork.
Hadi produced the Catmobile for Orange Tubby that is hovering above the ground at the same room, where Rula, Yazan and Rula are working. Just saw Hadi and learned that he and Toleen are about to start working on the cat products that were thought of in the past few days: Cat Watch, Cat Eyes and Cat-Mobile.
Rula is also start working on the urban wall at Makan's entrance.
Yazan has been working on sketches that will be dubbed either (Urban Cat-gets) or (Pipeology). The sketches demonstrate a number of cat orientated city details: Chat rooms, watchtowers and restrooms.
A cat acquaintance of Khaled inked two articles for a Cat Gazette about the buzz surrounding Catatnoia. You got to read it when you visit Makan on opening day.
As for me I created a comic rendition of the Cat Workshop story. Ahmad digitized it and gave it an artistic feel. I also worked on a three panel rendition after being inspired by a piece written by Nader Gammas.
Ahmad also created an artistic wall called Catatonia (بنت عم الدنيا), which is situated next to Yazan's project.
All in all: Papers have been cut, stories printed, stencils were created, walls sketched on and collaged, ideas conceived on paper, lines intersecting to create sketches and above all cats remembered.
Interruptions' Cats Workshop is about the collaboration between architects, designers and writers [An All Star Team of Creative Individuals].
Everyone is still working hard to meet the August 25th and 26th deadline that will reveal to the world a Catatonia like no other…
The past few days were quite productive for the team handling the Catatonia Account.
Time to produce a collective blog post…
It was decided that we will hold a rough exhibition, a.k.a. "A Work in Progress," at Makan between Tuesday and Wednesday. The opening is at 8:30 p.m.
What have we done so far…?
Dana created cat-related commercial product logos...they are quite innovative and will soon adorn Makan's wall.
The room on the left at the far end of Makan is turning into quite a visual sanctuary thanks to Dina and Rula, who have been working on it non-stop.
While Rula drew Elevations Dina worked on Perspectives that included an aerial shot of Paris Circle. Soon someone will be caught in the red ;-)
The perspective wall is quite amazing and will blow people out of their minds—then again the overall idea of Interruptions' Cat Workshop will undoubtedly have the same effect.
Someone attending the exhibition on Tuesday might say, "What were those guys and girls on cause I want to have the same?"
Needless to say it was imagination followed by inspiration and teamwork.
Hadi produced the Catmobile for Orange Tubby that is hovering above the ground at the same room, where Rula, Yazan and Rula are working. Just saw Hadi and learned that he and Toleen are about to start working on the cat products that were thought of in the past few days: Cat Watch, Cat Eyes and Cat-Mobile.
Rula is also start working on the urban wall at Makan's entrance.
Yazan has been working on sketches that will be dubbed either (Urban Cat-gets) or (Pipeology). The sketches demonstrate a number of cat orientated city details: Chat rooms, watchtowers and restrooms.
A cat acquaintance of Khaled inked two articles for a Cat Gazette about the buzz surrounding Catatnoia. You got to read it when you visit Makan on opening day.
As for me I created a comic rendition of the Cat Workshop story. Ahmad digitized it and gave it an artistic feel. I also worked on a three panel rendition after being inspired by a piece written by Nader Gammas.
Ahmad also created an artistic wall called Catatonia (بنت عم الدنيا), which is situated next to Yazan's project.
All in all: Papers have been cut, stories printed, stencils were created, walls sketched on and collaged, ideas conceived on paper, lines intersecting to create sketches and above all cats remembered.
Interruptions' Cats Workshop is about the collaboration between architects, designers and writers [An All Star Team of Creative Individuals].
Everyone is still working hard to meet the August 25th and 26th deadline that will reveal to the world a Catatonia like no other…
Friday, August 21, 2009
CAT Slogans, Part Two
Some more slogans for the propaganda, and visual communications around catatonia/cat city
...
paws more, see more
letting the cats out of the laptop bag
curiousity saved the cat!
support all bird feeders.
catfish are miserable, fish hate them, cats eat them!
...
Intro for the catalogue: (product brochure)
cats are faced with the catastrophic categorization of them as cattles of street cats that shouldn't be catered to in any way...
a catalogue of newly categorized cat products will act as a caterwauling catalyst that will catapult cats into a new era...
...
Arabic:
بس بوسة وحده
بِس بلاش
بس خلص
قطة صغيرة (short story)
...
...
paws more, see more
letting the cats out of the laptop bag
curiousity saved the cat!
support all bird feeders.
catfish are miserable, fish hate them, cats eat them!
...
Intro for the catalogue: (product brochure)
cats are faced with the catastrophic categorization of them as cattles of street cats that shouldn't be catered to in any way...
a catalogue of newly categorized cat products will act as a caterwauling catalyst that will catapult cats into a new era...
...
Arabic:
بس بوسة وحده
بِس بلاش
بس خلص
قطة صغيرة (short story)
...
Hadi says hello...
Hello, I'm sick at home today couldn't make it to the first of the last two and most important days... but it's fine i guess, we all agree that we have so many goo ideas, and no one will rest until they are all visualized...
So, a car is now in the making, the catmobile is sitting there on my screen mocking me, but believe you me it's getting done whether she likes it or not!
Ahmad was last seen working on a dumpster (a visual on his computer!)
Tuleen is committed to giving cats a more luxurious and spacious place for hang outs.
Khaled walked around in circles just loving his megaphone..
Rula, Dina, Yazan,.. and Khaled whenever he wasn't megaphoning, all worked on turning the 2d space on the wall into a visual statement, a complete set of pipes in different sizes and materials so people can get the full experience of cat city...
i wonder what's going on now...
So, a car is now in the making, the catmobile is sitting there on my screen mocking me, but believe you me it's getting done whether she likes it or not!
Ahmad was last seen working on a dumpster (a visual on his computer!)
Tuleen is committed to giving cats a more luxurious and spacious place for hang outs.
Khaled walked around in circles just loving his megaphone..
Rula, Dina, Yazan,.. and Khaled whenever he wasn't megaphoning, all worked on turning the 2d space on the wall into a visual statement, a complete set of pipes in different sizes and materials so people can get the full experience of cat city...
i wonder what's going on now...
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Operation C-Rave
Top Secret:
For Cat's Eyes Only
Operation C-Rave
Introduction by General Cat Mandu, from the Seventh Dynasty of Ammanite Cats:
Transcribed circa August, 19, 2009
Fellow cat citizens,
Unlike humans cats are never dreary or weary. We are a fun loving race.
We have long suffered at the hands of Homo sapiens. It is time for us to use them the same way they used us every time we drew a smile on their faces with our playfulness and unpredictable antics.
Our top scientists at the Catcore in Cat City have developed a mass celebration weapon (MCW) that will enthrall you all.
Tonight we will show the world our true worth and metal. My children even though there is a ban on the usage of Lazer, as Lazer is not only power but a mind devastating drug, each month and when the moon is full a night of ecstasy will be unveiled to your joyous eyes.
This night that we'll dub C-Rave will be held at Paris Circle when all humans are asleep. Our propaganda bureau has devised a plan to lure a number of unsuspecting humans, who will be led to believe that they are invited to a human rave.
Upon reaching Paris Circle, where our scientist will prepare the necessary cat-machinations, humans will find chrome plated balls. A Lazer system will be unleashed from the high beams atop which our cat-haven will be situated on Paris Circle. The humans will start playing with the balls that will deflect the Lazer through a special glass system.
Motion and light detectors will record their movement and the Lazer's reflection creating our light system. The rest is up to you.
The C-Rave will be helmed by our greatest musical prodigy since Scat-man: DJ Catskills.
At that night do not show any restraint and unleash your basic instincts. This is the most purr-fect recreational plan concocted by the feline race.
I congratulate all those, who worked on it.
Good day to you all,
General Cat Mandu
For Cat's Eyes Only
Operation C-Rave
Introduction by General Cat Mandu, from the Seventh Dynasty of Ammanite Cats:
Transcribed circa August, 19, 2009
Fellow cat citizens,
Unlike humans cats are never dreary or weary. We are a fun loving race.
We have long suffered at the hands of Homo sapiens. It is time for us to use them the same way they used us every time we drew a smile on their faces with our playfulness and unpredictable antics.
Our top scientists at the Catcore in Cat City have developed a mass celebration weapon (MCW) that will enthrall you all.
Tonight we will show the world our true worth and metal. My children even though there is a ban on the usage of Lazer, as Lazer is not only power but a mind devastating drug, each month and when the moon is full a night of ecstasy will be unveiled to your joyous eyes.
This night that we'll dub C-Rave will be held at Paris Circle when all humans are asleep. Our propaganda bureau has devised a plan to lure a number of unsuspecting humans, who will be led to believe that they are invited to a human rave.
Upon reaching Paris Circle, where our scientist will prepare the necessary cat-machinations, humans will find chrome plated balls. A Lazer system will be unleashed from the high beams atop which our cat-haven will be situated on Paris Circle. The humans will start playing with the balls that will deflect the Lazer through a special glass system.
Motion and light detectors will record their movement and the Lazer's reflection creating our light system. The rest is up to you.
The C-Rave will be helmed by our greatest musical prodigy since Scat-man: DJ Catskills.
At that night do not show any restraint and unleash your basic instincts. This is the most purr-fect recreational plan concocted by the feline race.
I congratulate all those, who worked on it.
Good day to you all,
General Cat Mandu
Cat Slogans for Cats: The Workshop
Cat Slogans for Cats: The Workshop
Since our main objective is to create a cat city and cat-apult cats to higher levels let us all add to their campaign's slogans.
Here are some:
- Cats Interrupted
-Cat-astrophic
- Catnip it is Purr-fect
-Mice Burgers: Purr genius
-Always follow the following Cat-egories:
Don't accept handouts
Don't eat from the garbage can
Don't let human's touch you
-Don't Look Up…It is Time for Them to Look up!
-It is Raining Cats and Dogs
-Meow is the word
-Chat Guevara: If you tremble indignation at every injustice then you are a cat of mine
-Whose got the Mic-e and is spinning the C in CD? DJ Catskills (From the C-Rave Chronicles)
Since our main objective is to create a cat city and cat-apult cats to higher levels let us all add to their campaign's slogans.
Here are some:
- Cats Interrupted
-Cat-astrophic
- Catnip it is Purr-fect
-Mice Burgers: Purr genius
-Always follow the following Cat-egories:
Don't accept handouts
Don't eat from the garbage can
Don't let human's touch you
-Don't Look Up…It is Time for Them to Look up!
-It is Raining Cats and Dogs
-Meow is the word
-Chat Guevara: If you tremble indignation at every injustice then you are a cat of mine
-Whose got the Mic-e and is spinning the C in CD? DJ Catskills (From the C-Rave Chronicles)
[CATS: The Workshop!] Day Four
Designers have a long history of keeping the legacy of the one-lousy-design-day phenomena! There's always a day when design are in the making where one would lay back and waste the day watching random youtube videos, clean his desktop, or suddenly start wondering if its time to paint his room!
Four our workshop, yesterday was that day! Where everyone came early, but exhausted.
We confirmed what we agreed on the day before, and agreed on the necessity to commit to our plans! 'Team Spaces' (Dina, Rula and Yazan) left Makan, leaving 'Team Things' take the lead by staying another hour discussing Cat's visual culture and visual communication!
And 'Team Spaces' sent in a promise that tomorrow will be a new day!
This morning there was a tragic accident, which may change the course of the workshop-
and above all to prove that Shit Happens! even among the chosen 'saviors'!
But as life goes on, the workshop goes on with more awareness perhaps, for the necessity to skip lousy-days! and for the seriousness of the case at hand!
7.00pm is now a time we all look up to daily to escape into a very provocative and boundless flood of ideas! today these ideas should start being realized!
Four our workshop, yesterday was that day! Where everyone came early, but exhausted.
We confirmed what we agreed on the day before, and agreed on the necessity to commit to our plans! 'Team Spaces' (Dina, Rula and Yazan) left Makan, leaving 'Team Things' take the lead by staying another hour discussing Cat's visual culture and visual communication!
And 'Team Spaces' sent in a promise that tomorrow will be a new day!
This morning there was a tragic accident, which may change the course of the workshop-
and above all to prove that Shit Happens! even among the chosen 'saviors'!
But as life goes on, the workshop goes on with more awareness perhaps, for the necessity to skip lousy-days! and for the seriousness of the case at hand!
7.00pm is now a time we all look up to daily to escape into a very provocative and boundless flood of ideas! today these ideas should start being realized!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
[ Cats: The Workshop!] Day Three - Second Edition
The third day held a few surprises as both teams Group A, B, C, who are in charge of Transition + Context + Logistics + Spatial Design (Khaled, Rula, Dina and Yazan) and Group D, who are in charge of Visual Culture + Narrative (Dana, Hadi, Mike, Ahmad) met to discuss their concepts.
Everything Group A, B and C designed was hanging on the wall. It was quite interesting as it deployed designs that relied on pipes. Group A, B and C had photocopied photographs of tunnels on top of which they placed silhouetted cats.
One of the intriguing concepts was the outdoor cat restrooms, referred to as Al Nono, that were made of vertical pipes planted in the ground.
The pipelines were also used to connect the surrounding areas like Al Abdali with Paris Circle. The homes that are situated on the tunnel path would be utilized as food sources.
Other designs utilized pipes as route connectors, perforated food pathways and sleeping quarters when sawed in half.
The perforated pipes allows cats to detect food scents and use them as traveling paths.
Yazan:
We believe that the Paris circle is a meeting point...a junction.
Both teams agreed.
Hadi asked about the use of pipes. A number of functions included circulation and transportation—basically function is assigned to design.
Rula:
We are creating a hub.
The discussion continued to include designs on an urban level like linking function to resources.
Whenever the Red District was mentioned during the meeting everyone laughed.
A tunnel transportation tunnel that allows cats to travel and at the same time procreate was one of the group's suggestions.
Ahmad:
The red district is underground because it is against our culture.
Khaled:
The Paris Circle is the highest point in the area and everything will connect to it.
One of the main questions that came up was, "How do they meet?"
Hadi:
Amazing how everything interconnects.
Both teams believed that they were in-synch and no sooner Group D explained their concepts everyone was positive that the project was on the right track: A Unified track.
Everyone agreed that food and water should not be restricted to one district and that cats know beforehand the whereabouts of such precious resources.
Ahmad:
We need to think about food as it is the most important thing?
It was Group D's turn and Hadi opened up the discussion that was followed by Dana's
Cat Campaign.
Hadi:
We all agreed that changing perspective from a cat's to a human's is an important premise in our project.
Don't Look Up…It is Time for Them To Look Up…
Group D presented three products:
-The convex mirror:
A convex mirror would be attached a trash container so as to reveal to humans the existence of cats in it. At the same time it would allow cats to see approaching humans. This product simply reduces cat fatalities.
-The Catmobile:
The Catmobile offers cats a camouflaged retreat. Who would bother with an old car parked at the street? The car would be fitted with cat quarters.
-Cateyes (Spies in disguise):
Cateyes are more than light reflectors for human drivers. Cats use them as spying cameras and hidden entrances. The data collected from these Cateyes are sent to a Central Processing Unit (CPU) in Paris Circle underground community.
Group D's main premise was the usage of lazer, which has two functions: Logo and C-rave.
The Cat Logo of Catatonia, the name of the cat city, would be created using Lazer beams coming from the beams at Paris Circle.
Using Lazer as a guiding system was discarded.
C-rave is an annual event held by cats in which these little fun loving creatures use humans for creating their own rave.
Humans are invited to Paris Circle, were they play with chrome plated balls of different colors. The balls reflect the Lazer that will provide the lighting system for the cats.
Another Lazer related finding was that cats are addicted to Lazer: It is their drug. Don't do Lazer is the title of a cat orientated awareness campaign.
Dana then talked about the broader awareness campaign that will address humans and cats alike. Its purpose is to know more about both races.
If you think this is all…you are in for a big surprise.
Waiting for the results of the fourth session that is about to begin.
Everything Group A, B and C designed was hanging on the wall. It was quite interesting as it deployed designs that relied on pipes. Group A, B and C had photocopied photographs of tunnels on top of which they placed silhouetted cats.
One of the intriguing concepts was the outdoor cat restrooms, referred to as Al Nono, that were made of vertical pipes planted in the ground.
The pipelines were also used to connect the surrounding areas like Al Abdali with Paris Circle. The homes that are situated on the tunnel path would be utilized as food sources.
Other designs utilized pipes as route connectors, perforated food pathways and sleeping quarters when sawed in half.
The perforated pipes allows cats to detect food scents and use them as traveling paths.
Yazan:
We believe that the Paris circle is a meeting point...a junction.
Both teams agreed.
Hadi asked about the use of pipes. A number of functions included circulation and transportation—basically function is assigned to design.
Rula:
We are creating a hub.
The discussion continued to include designs on an urban level like linking function to resources.
Whenever the Red District was mentioned during the meeting everyone laughed.
A tunnel transportation tunnel that allows cats to travel and at the same time procreate was one of the group's suggestions.
Ahmad:
The red district is underground because it is against our culture.
Khaled:
The Paris Circle is the highest point in the area and everything will connect to it.
One of the main questions that came up was, "How do they meet?"
Hadi:
Amazing how everything interconnects.
Both teams believed that they were in-synch and no sooner Group D explained their concepts everyone was positive that the project was on the right track: A Unified track.
Everyone agreed that food and water should not be restricted to one district and that cats know beforehand the whereabouts of such precious resources.
Ahmad:
We need to think about food as it is the most important thing?
It was Group D's turn and Hadi opened up the discussion that was followed by Dana's
Cat Campaign.
Hadi:
We all agreed that changing perspective from a cat's to a human's is an important premise in our project.
Don't Look Up…It is Time for Them To Look Up…
Group D presented three products:
-The convex mirror:
A convex mirror would be attached a trash container so as to reveal to humans the existence of cats in it. At the same time it would allow cats to see approaching humans. This product simply reduces cat fatalities.
-The Catmobile:
The Catmobile offers cats a camouflaged retreat. Who would bother with an old car parked at the street? The car would be fitted with cat quarters.
-Cateyes (Spies in disguise):
Cateyes are more than light reflectors for human drivers. Cats use them as spying cameras and hidden entrances. The data collected from these Cateyes are sent to a Central Processing Unit (CPU) in Paris Circle underground community.
Group D's main premise was the usage of lazer, which has two functions: Logo and C-rave.
The Cat Logo of Catatonia, the name of the cat city, would be created using Lazer beams coming from the beams at Paris Circle.
Using Lazer as a guiding system was discarded.
C-rave is an annual event held by cats in which these little fun loving creatures use humans for creating their own rave.
Humans are invited to Paris Circle, were they play with chrome plated balls of different colors. The balls reflect the Lazer that will provide the lighting system for the cats.
Another Lazer related finding was that cats are addicted to Lazer: It is their drug. Don't do Lazer is the title of a cat orientated awareness campaign.
Dana then talked about the broader awareness campaign that will address humans and cats alike. Its purpose is to know more about both races.
If you think this is all…you are in for a big surprise.
Waiting for the results of the fourth session that is about to begin.
[CATS: The Workshop] Day Three
...
Photo by Yazan Baggili
Poor abused white board stand!
So many ideas crammed into it... Now after the third day is done we all witnessed the ideas flooding makan... by the end of the workshop, with those ideas overflowing, visual manifestations hanging down from ceilings, and designers starting to believe they can talk to cats; i doubt anyone will eventually be able to walk there without an overload of "freaky" pumped into their rationalistic, weary and tired old brains!
On the other hands cats would be love strolling around grooving on the awesome vibes of all that creative energy!
The trips we took in the 3 hours on the third day of the workshop are worthy of an actual study! They raised the ever occurring question;
Can the pressures of mundane day to day "design" work be overcome with such liberating "design" processes and exercises? It sure as hell can!
...
Mike, Dana, Ahmad and I (hadi) worked on setting the basis for visual culture and the way we can integrate physical products into the big context we're collectively creating!
A lot of ideas were proposed, we threw away all the good ideas so we end up only with a few great ones!
Freakishly enough! when the others presented their ideas, the synergy between both teams was uncanny... they took they worked on creating that something between point A and point, while we worked on starting from point B to C... And it wasn't rehearsed i promise!
...
A video will be posted later...
***
{Team Things} and {Team Spaces} selling their ideas...
Coming soon on video at interruptions.ning
Monday, August 17, 2009
[ Cats: The Workshop!] Day Two - Second Edition
Last night's Cats workshop session was different. I regret having to leave early and not hearing the cat-ideas that overflowed later on in Makan.
Ahmad and Hadi gazed at the blog summary of the first day wondering how four hours were squeezed in less than 500 words.
A flurry of brilliant ideas about security, transportation, food, habits and cat contraptions flowed along with the main points that we decided to focus on.
1)Elevated catwalks that would provide security for traveling cats and that would blend with the surrounding environment
2)Underground winter heating systems through machinery built in asphalt. A vehicle would park over the opening that resembles a manhole.
3)Paris Circle would be the main headquarters of cats that connect them to food sources, playgrounds and recreational facilities and offer them a secure transportation system.
4)Ball dispensers that would lead cats to their recreational facilities.
5)A signage system designated for cats that rely on sensory elements like smell and eyesight. How will we direct cats to certain designated places.
6)A wall that encircles Paris Circle and that would isolate cats from the surrounding human city. It was argued if cats need entrances or can simply jump over the wall thanks to their enviable jump. Basketball players eat your hearts out.
7) Conveyer belts for underground food transportation.
8) Tunnels build under the Lewebdeh area and that would allow cats to reach food sources. Whether cats would prefer going through or over the tunnel was discussed.
9)Cat products that enable the feline race to barter with humans. A suggestion included cats selling some of their offspring to humans for food and other products.
Other points that were discussed revolved around cat and human interaction, propaganda, the right to the project area. We were reminded that Jabal Al Lewebdeh was not only for cats.
If there were techniques that I forgot to add in this post please add.
Should the project adopt a radical or a conservative approach? How will cats interact within their own community? Will there be laws that govern their existence in a human-like city?
However, it was decided that humans are aware of the cats' project.
Eventually we discussed the conceptual design of the city within the city at Paris Circle and the three main project points that were written on the board were: Transportation, events and culture. At that point the time struck 8:00 p.m. and I had to leave to read a news bulletin.
Waiting for the third day cats' workshop session that I will post tonight…
Ahmad and Hadi gazed at the blog summary of the first day wondering how four hours were squeezed in less than 500 words.
A flurry of brilliant ideas about security, transportation, food, habits and cat contraptions flowed along with the main points that we decided to focus on.
1)Elevated catwalks that would provide security for traveling cats and that would blend with the surrounding environment
2)Underground winter heating systems through machinery built in asphalt. A vehicle would park over the opening that resembles a manhole.
3)Paris Circle would be the main headquarters of cats that connect them to food sources, playgrounds and recreational facilities and offer them a secure transportation system.
4)Ball dispensers that would lead cats to their recreational facilities.
5)A signage system designated for cats that rely on sensory elements like smell and eyesight. How will we direct cats to certain designated places.
6)A wall that encircles Paris Circle and that would isolate cats from the surrounding human city. It was argued if cats need entrances or can simply jump over the wall thanks to their enviable jump. Basketball players eat your hearts out.
7) Conveyer belts for underground food transportation.
8) Tunnels build under the Lewebdeh area and that would allow cats to reach food sources. Whether cats would prefer going through or over the tunnel was discussed.
9)Cat products that enable the feline race to barter with humans. A suggestion included cats selling some of their offspring to humans for food and other products.
Other points that were discussed revolved around cat and human interaction, propaganda, the right to the project area. We were reminded that Jabal Al Lewebdeh was not only for cats.
If there were techniques that I forgot to add in this post please add.
Should the project adopt a radical or a conservative approach? How will cats interact within their own community? Will there be laws that govern their existence in a human-like city?
However, it was decided that humans are aware of the cats' project.
Eventually we discussed the conceptual design of the city within the city at Paris Circle and the three main project points that were written on the board were: Transportation, events and culture. At that point the time struck 8:00 p.m. and I had to leave to read a news bulletin.
Waiting for the third day cats' workshop session that I will post tonight…
[CATS: Stories by Mike] II - Seven Lives
Seven Lives
Ever wondered why in Western superstitions cats have nine lives whereas in Eastern ones they only have seven?
There is no clear answer to this question especially after reading the following letter that was sent to our workshop, by a ten year old, as an open letter about animal welfare.
Hello,
My name is Sameer. I am ten and half years old. I grew up in Al Lewebdeh area. I love animals especially cats but I am surprised how some individuals can be mean to them.
I remember one day seeing one of the older kids of our neighborhood torturing a cat. When I asked him not to do so he and his friends laughed at me.
"It is none of your business. Move over or we are going to tie up you like this mangy cat that I am holding," the bully yelled before setting fire to a bunch of napkins tied around the tail of the poor cat that was painfully meowing.
"Ok let us see you run. We are down to five lives boys. Let us see if he is going to survive this one. Ha ha," announced the bully to his gang, who were laughing.
"Yeah I can't believe he survived hanging," one of the boys exclaimed.
I could not do anything but watch in sadness as the poor cat run like lightening. It disappeared under a car to resurface again and jump over a house's fence. I did not see it for two whole days. I thought it died.
I read that cats are cautious by nature and know when a person wants to harm them instead of feeding them. Eventually the poor scruffy grey cat with the burnt tail and bruised body appeared in our neighborhood again. Unfortunately, the bully caught him again by sending a different boy to lure him with a piece of meat.
It was caught again. Only this time I was utterly surprised by the cat's attitude. The more the bully tightened his merciless grip around its neck the louder his meows became in pitch until it finally sunk its claws in the bully's arms. It then lunged with the loudest shriek you could imagine at the bully's face as if it was an empty canvas waiting to be filled out by its lines, or, scratches.
The bully, who was startled by the attack, let go and the cat hurried away under a distant car.
I was laughing so hard that the shamed bully started heading my way. In a moment he held me by the throat and his bloodied fist was about to sink in my face.
Upon hearing the commotion the grocery store owner, Amu Badee3, came out and saved me from the hands of the bully, whose face and arms were now covered with bleeding scratches.
"It serves you right. The cat's grip on life this time was stronger than yours on its neck you idiot. I am calling your mother today to tell her about your shameful acts," Amu Badee3, yelling at the bully, said.
Too bad the bully did not have a tail for he would have dragged it between his legs like a beaten up dog.
Amu Badee3 later told me that cats cherish life more than anything in the world. I believe he is right.
Imagine how the life of a cat with one life left would be: Pretty risky. It had to have another one just in case it crossed the street at the wrong time.
Thank you,
Sameer Hannah
Ever wondered why in Western superstitions cats have nine lives whereas in Eastern ones they only have seven?
There is no clear answer to this question especially after reading the following letter that was sent to our workshop, by a ten year old, as an open letter about animal welfare.
Hello,
My name is Sameer. I am ten and half years old. I grew up in Al Lewebdeh area. I love animals especially cats but I am surprised how some individuals can be mean to them.
I remember one day seeing one of the older kids of our neighborhood torturing a cat. When I asked him not to do so he and his friends laughed at me.
"It is none of your business. Move over or we are going to tie up you like this mangy cat that I am holding," the bully yelled before setting fire to a bunch of napkins tied around the tail of the poor cat that was painfully meowing.
"Ok let us see you run. We are down to five lives boys. Let us see if he is going to survive this one. Ha ha," announced the bully to his gang, who were laughing.
"Yeah I can't believe he survived hanging," one of the boys exclaimed.
I could not do anything but watch in sadness as the poor cat run like lightening. It disappeared under a car to resurface again and jump over a house's fence. I did not see it for two whole days. I thought it died.
I read that cats are cautious by nature and know when a person wants to harm them instead of feeding them. Eventually the poor scruffy grey cat with the burnt tail and bruised body appeared in our neighborhood again. Unfortunately, the bully caught him again by sending a different boy to lure him with a piece of meat.
It was caught again. Only this time I was utterly surprised by the cat's attitude. The more the bully tightened his merciless grip around its neck the louder his meows became in pitch until it finally sunk its claws in the bully's arms. It then lunged with the loudest shriek you could imagine at the bully's face as if it was an empty canvas waiting to be filled out by its lines, or, scratches.
The bully, who was startled by the attack, let go and the cat hurried away under a distant car.
I was laughing so hard that the shamed bully started heading my way. In a moment he held me by the throat and his bloodied fist was about to sink in my face.
Upon hearing the commotion the grocery store owner, Amu Badee3, came out and saved me from the hands of the bully, whose face and arms were now covered with bleeding scratches.
"It serves you right. The cat's grip on life this time was stronger than yours on its neck you idiot. I am calling your mother today to tell her about your shameful acts," Amu Badee3, yelling at the bully, said.
Too bad the bully did not have a tail for he would have dragged it between his legs like a beaten up dog.
Amu Badee3 later told me that cats cherish life more than anything in the world. I believe he is right.
Imagine how the life of a cat with one life left would be: Pretty risky. It had to have another one just in case it crossed the street at the wrong time.
Thank you,
Sameer Hannah
[CATS: Stories by Mike] I - A Tail of Two Cities
A Tail of Two Cities
There are days when you see them everywhere and days when they are nowhere in sight. Cats are temperamental some people say.
The residents of old neighborhoods like Al Lewebdeh, particularly at Paris Circle, know better.
They have after all been living side by side for the past 90 years but as a result of urban expansion and the economic crisis that have been plaguing the world, the region and Jordan they have been seeing less of each other.
Can't you remember how the children of our neighborhood used to chase after cats or how they affectionately huddled around one that just delivered kittens?
Nothing can stir a well of emotions better than the sight of newly born kittens with faint meows, especially if you can overcome one minor detail, which is the mother's cannibalizing the weakest kitten to preserve her own strength so that she can nurse the others.
Some cats can be spotted relaxing on the high walls of old buildings; others waiting outside kitchen doors anxious to receive that generous handout: Chicken leftovers, a can of sardines or tuna, rice, and bread covered with beef stock.
Less and less people are feeding cats like they used to do, which is why some alley cats have claimed the neighborhood's trash containers and bins as their own kingdom. Of course less unfortunate individuals did the same—if only these trash containers and bins can talk.
Who needs a throne when you can sit on a wall overlooking Amman's haphazard edifices, right?
Living is easy during the summer. If you feel hot you can buy ice-cream or a cold beverage from the supermarket around the bend, or simply crawl under a water tank in someone's garden.
Not many people know that stairwells are the coolest spots in a residential construction, which is why at times it is not unusual to spot a cat lying idly there or a kitten or two running around freely not minding human unlookers.
People assume that winter is a bit of a hassle but has anyone seen a frozen cat? Cat behavior during winter is a mystery to most as they are rarely seen—probably because of water based weather elements like rain, fog, sleet and snow.
Today is just one of those ordinary days. Everyone is preoccupied in putting food on the table or extracting it from the sticky bottom of a garbage bin.
Paris Circle over the years has become a place frequented by people and cats seeking a quiet abode in a bustling city. The trees scattered amidst the bronze Parisian monuments offer its visitors a thin veil that rarely fends off prying eyes. Here and to our delight the wind blows freely through the circle's plants and the sun warms up its concrete pavement.
What's the use of a blanket when you have fur?
Still we only get to hang around Paris Circle in early morning hours and late nights when most of the areas' residents are fast asleep in their beds allowing us to roam freely in our city within city.
Oh, got to go. I just spotted a fat looking mouse scampering under a van parked next to Stop n Shop that I sure would like invite to dinner. See you around or not!
There are days when you see them everywhere and days when they are nowhere in sight. Cats are temperamental some people say.
The residents of old neighborhoods like Al Lewebdeh, particularly at Paris Circle, know better.
They have after all been living side by side for the past 90 years but as a result of urban expansion and the economic crisis that have been plaguing the world, the region and Jordan they have been seeing less of each other.
Can't you remember how the children of our neighborhood used to chase after cats or how they affectionately huddled around one that just delivered kittens?
Nothing can stir a well of emotions better than the sight of newly born kittens with faint meows, especially if you can overcome one minor detail, which is the mother's cannibalizing the weakest kitten to preserve her own strength so that she can nurse the others.
Some cats can be spotted relaxing on the high walls of old buildings; others waiting outside kitchen doors anxious to receive that generous handout: Chicken leftovers, a can of sardines or tuna, rice, and bread covered with beef stock.
Less and less people are feeding cats like they used to do, which is why some alley cats have claimed the neighborhood's trash containers and bins as their own kingdom. Of course less unfortunate individuals did the same—if only these trash containers and bins can talk.
Who needs a throne when you can sit on a wall overlooking Amman's haphazard edifices, right?
Living is easy during the summer. If you feel hot you can buy ice-cream or a cold beverage from the supermarket around the bend, or simply crawl under a water tank in someone's garden.
Not many people know that stairwells are the coolest spots in a residential construction, which is why at times it is not unusual to spot a cat lying idly there or a kitten or two running around freely not minding human unlookers.
People assume that winter is a bit of a hassle but has anyone seen a frozen cat? Cat behavior during winter is a mystery to most as they are rarely seen—probably because of water based weather elements like rain, fog, sleet and snow.
Today is just one of those ordinary days. Everyone is preoccupied in putting food on the table or extracting it from the sticky bottom of a garbage bin.
Paris Circle over the years has become a place frequented by people and cats seeking a quiet abode in a bustling city. The trees scattered amidst the bronze Parisian monuments offer its visitors a thin veil that rarely fends off prying eyes. Here and to our delight the wind blows freely through the circle's plants and the sun warms up its concrete pavement.
What's the use of a blanket when you have fur?
Still we only get to hang around Paris Circle in early morning hours and late nights when most of the areas' residents are fast asleep in their beds allowing us to roam freely in our city within city.
Oh, got to go. I just spotted a fat looking mouse scampering under a van parked next to Stop n Shop that I sure would like invite to dinner. See you around or not!
Why Cats Hate Mice
This short story may be of as a form of inspiration to some of you writing the feline manifesto:
Once upon a time, some while ago, there was a village. And in this village lived cats and dogs. The two creatures did not get along, much like the houses of Capulet and Montague in Romeo and Juliet. The dogs would always chastise and harass the cats. Cats being weaker, had no choice. So one day, a brave cat comes up and says, hey, cut it out. Accompanying his bold statement, a truce was written up. "No more racial profiling...we were all created equal animals" and all that sort of sweet talk. So the dogs were like aight, sounds good. The whole village decided to hide the truce in a sack of grain in a warehouse to be hidden safely. All was well, all was dandy. Time passed and everyone forgot about the truce, but the peace was still in effect. Then one day, a dog returning home to the village, starts pounding on a cat's face. News gets out and everyone is furious. "To the warehouse!" cried a fellow cat. So all the cats and all the dogs visit the warehouse to where the truce is stored. But when the crowd reach the sack of grain, they find that mice have eaten their why through to the written truce. The dogs are happy and start terrorizing the cats once again. From that day on, all dogs kept on hating cats, and all cats hated mice.
The End.
Once upon a time, some while ago, there was a village. And in this village lived cats and dogs. The two creatures did not get along, much like the houses of Capulet and Montague in Romeo and Juliet. The dogs would always chastise and harass the cats. Cats being weaker, had no choice. So one day, a brave cat comes up and says, hey, cut it out. Accompanying his bold statement, a truce was written up. "No more racial profiling...we were all created equal animals" and all that sort of sweet talk. So the dogs were like aight, sounds good. The whole village decided to hide the truce in a sack of grain in a warehouse to be hidden safely. All was well, all was dandy. Time passed and everyone forgot about the truce, but the peace was still in effect. Then one day, a dog returning home to the village, starts pounding on a cat's face. News gets out and everyone is furious. "To the warehouse!" cried a fellow cat. So all the cats and all the dogs visit the warehouse to where the truce is stored. But when the crowd reach the sack of grain, they find that mice have eaten their why through to the written truce. The dogs are happy and start terrorizing the cats once again. From that day on, all dogs kept on hating cats, and all cats hated mice.
The End.
The Cataclysmic Manifesto
The Cataclysmic Manifesto
The greatest of human beings, be they leaders or orators, had often had good speech writers. Since our client is unable to speak, or so we are led to believe, a manifesto that addresses their kind and ours is much needed.
A manifesto is a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives or motives issued by a government, sovereign or organization.
It is a collaborative social and literary work that pours into the good of those who wrote it and those intended to benefit from it: Cats and humans alike. I want you all to envision what a cat would want to include in a manifesto about its rights in a world dominated by man.
Alexander Pope once wrote, "Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; the proper study of Mankind is man."
Some of our feline clients might assume anthropomorphic attributes especially with the advent of social, architectural and technological breakthroughs to their primitive society.
So what would you demand from a superior creature? Think like a cat…
Here is an example:
Mike (me) pretending to be a cat addressing a crowd of cats and humans:
Liberty, equality and fraternity are three words that sum up the entire human experience. A cat alas is born free but not equal. In order to be looked upon as equals and brothers we, cats, must rise again with our long forgotten legacy.
Fellow cats let us regain our long lost collective memory. Fellow humans I am most certain that being worshiped again as the progeny of Bast is out of the question but at least treat us as your equals.
P.S: I have commenced work on a number of different stories and will publish them tomorrow as soon as possible.
The greatest of human beings, be they leaders or orators, had often had good speech writers. Since our client is unable to speak, or so we are led to believe, a manifesto that addresses their kind and ours is much needed.
A manifesto is a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives or motives issued by a government, sovereign or organization.
It is a collaborative social and literary work that pours into the good of those who wrote it and those intended to benefit from it: Cats and humans alike. I want you all to envision what a cat would want to include in a manifesto about its rights in a world dominated by man.
Alexander Pope once wrote, "Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; the proper study of Mankind is man."
Some of our feline clients might assume anthropomorphic attributes especially with the advent of social, architectural and technological breakthroughs to their primitive society.
So what would you demand from a superior creature? Think like a cat…
Here is an example:
Mike (me) pretending to be a cat addressing a crowd of cats and humans:
Liberty, equality and fraternity are three words that sum up the entire human experience. A cat alas is born free but not equal. In order to be looked upon as equals and brothers we, cats, must rise again with our long forgotten legacy.
Fellow cats let us regain our long lost collective memory. Fellow humans I am most certain that being worshiped again as the progeny of Bast is out of the question but at least treat us as your equals.
P.S: I have commenced work on a number of different stories and will publish them tomorrow as soon as possible.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
[CATS: The Workshop!] Day Two
...so Dina and Yazan brought ice cream today to make it up for coming late, despite the fact that it tasted bad, ice-cream should'v been there after the heated weather and much more heated dialog we had today as the second day of the workshop folded-
Today's session aimed to raise problems and start envisioning design solutions, these problems were identified as a product of our previous in-depth analysis of cats!
setting up a pre-determined scenario didn't work since cats occupied a hostile context where primary concerns such as security, food supply and transition were not met!
Hundreds of ideas flooded, each worthy of a project on its own but yet the idea was learning how to bridge various design languages together in order to produce a coherent vision. By the end of today's session I think we're getting there and we're ready for 'visualizing' these ideas at a studio session tomorrow!
To tidy up our ideas we split into four focus groups,
Group A+B_ Transition + Context + Logistics
(Rula, Toleen, Ahmad, Ali)
This group should generate ideas concerning methods of transition which reduces security threats, design products and methods of obtaining and containing food, maintaining shelter and the city's infrastructure
Group C_ Spatial Design
(Dina, Rawan, Yazan, Khaled)
Spatial and physical intervention, the city's core space + activity to be design and connected with infrastructure and compliments an overall scenario primary to cats
Group D_ Visual Culture + Narrative
(Dana, Hadi, Mike, Ahmad)
Building up a continuity in the cat community's narrative, complimenting other layers with visual dimension, orientation elements, signage, propaganda and awareness campaigns
The ideas produced during the studio at Makan will be hung on boards, and then some of these ideas would be selected to what can produce a consistent scenario
and later on the groups can work again together collaboratively to compliment each other's interventions
The discussions today were as intense as the passionate vibe sensed throughout the workshop- and as Rula said, it brought back the feeling of loving design!
Whatever is happening there at the workshop is beautiful, progressive and unprecedented, looking forward to tomorrow's session!
[CATS:The Workshop!] Day One
Being a cat lover, like the rest of the creative individuals, who I joined yesterday part of Interruptions' Cats: The Workshop, I jumped on the opportunity to join like a kitten pouncing on a ball of wool.
The first day was quite interesting as we all sat around to discuss the main objective of the workshop.
So what's the Cat-ch? It was decided that Paris Circle that was known as Dowar Al Hawoz would be the premise of our project: A cat friendly city within a city.
One question that we all found ourselves facing was the following: What does a cat's paradise consist of?
1) Food land
2) Legacy and culture
3) Leisure
4) Raves (Khaled's personal favorite)
Hours and minutes passed as we sat at Makan to talk about the characteristics of these lithe felines that inhabit our city's neighborhoods and alleys.
As each and every one of us contributed a piece of information, scientific, mythological and social, about our client we found ourselves coming up with six important scratch marks:
1) Food:
Cats eat garbage, insects and small mammals (anything that fits into their tiny mouths), food offered to them by people, extra food from restaurants and meat from local butcher shops.
2) Drink (alcohol and non-alcohol):
Cats drink water mainly, clean water that is, and milk. A question that presented itself to us: Where do they get water from?
3) Sleep:
Cats sleep wherever they feel comfortable. During winter they seek out warm places and during summer they seek out shade. Gardens, water and fuel tanks and concrete walls are favored cat hangouts.
4) Security
No, we are not talking about financial security even though we asked ourselves: Do cats actually need money to buy happiness?
The main thing that we all agreed upon is that all cats love life and prefer not to end up under the screeching tires of vehicle.
Humans, children and vehicles are among the factors that threaten a cat's security.
5) Playtime:
All Work and No Play Make A Cat a Dull Cat. Cats like to play around with different objects like wool balls, threads and furniture that they scratch in glee and of course food.
6) Sex
Most cats mate and procreate during the months of January and February. We are trying to find out what cats think about the fallowing issues: Homosexuality, rape, incest, promiscuity and orgasm.
Cat characteristics:
-Cats identify each other through smell
-Cats communicate through sounds
-Cats produce fur balls especially after eating Tuna
-Cats detest water
- Cats in Western superstitions have nine lives, whereas in Eastern ones they only have seven. Bad news for cats living in this part of the world!
-Cats have fast reflexes. They are good at Karate and know how to use a catana.
-Cats are curious
-Cats have good eyesight—ever seen a cat wearing glasses?
-Cats are vain
-Cats use humans for their own benefit
Participating in the workshop are Toleen Touq, Dana Qabbani, Dina Haddein, Rula Yaghmour, Rawan Qaqeesh, Ali Mosleh, Yazan Bqeily, Hadi Alaeddin, Mike V. Derderian, Khaled Sedki and Ahmad Sabbagh.
Hello, It has been a while
Hello. It's Nader. I have been absent from the Interruptions scene for a while. But the quest for giving, sharing, and taking with Interruption(ists), is still strong. Though I no longer live in Amman, I intend to use this opportunity to share with you my experiences and observations. I hope you will learn much. That's it for now. I miss you guys, tear tear.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Interruptions presents- [CATS: the Workshop!]
Workshop:
Interruptions recruits designers from multiple disciplines for a secret design mission called upon by the [Under Ground Cat Society]- Participants are to, collaboratively, reform an urban setting to meet the requirements of 'cats' as living beings parallel to humans and have certain characteristics, community structure, needs and affiliations.
10-15 participants will be selected for a one week workshop hosted at [Makan 15th -22nd August]
Workshop Coordinators:
Interruptions + Ahmad Sabbagh (Blouzaat)
----------
Story:
the Interruptions team have been invited to a top secret meeting with an anonymous governmental official. The meeting promises to disclose crucial confidential data, something that will surely, if ever leaked to the people, shake the very foundation of its fragile society.
upon entering the meeting room, however, the team find themselves, completely on their own. Unless you count the large, orange tabby cat sitting upright on the meeting table. The cat, licking its whiskers (slightly maliciously, you might say) quite simply, proceeds to talk. (Alice de ja vu, anyone?)
It tells the flabbergasted team of a secret underground society, one that has been slowly forming over the past few decades. It tells them that the members of that society had had enough. Living be the upper caste's rules was no longer acceptable. "We live by their rules, We eat by their rules, We breathe by their rules, we bloody die by their freakin rules"
This secret society has taken it upon themselves to start creating their own little world. Right under the nose of the humans, the furry little members forage for raw material and castaways, and use them to build their own enclosures and private spaces, mechanisms to make their life easier and safer, freeways and secret roads.
The orange tabby takes the team on a tour of the hidden feline society. Only, they discover that its not so much hidden as unseen. They have simply never looked before. Under the cars, in the trash cans, alley ways... you've seen the cat, but you've never seen what's behind the cat. All the better, where the cat is concerned.
----------
Aims:
- liberating design thinking from standardized prescriptive typologies
- testing potentials and possibilities of multi-disciplinary design approach
----------
Participation:
- Participant numbers are limited,
- Participants are expected to join us from the 15th to the 22nd of August, All evenings (after 6.00 pm) except two full days on weekends.
- Participation fee (10.00 JD)
To Join:
Please send us your personal and contact info, fields of interests and (preferably) samples of your work to:
interruptions@live.co.uk
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