BULBO, SAN JOSE : DIY MEDIA STRATEGIES FROM THE BORDER

A FUSE Commissioned Residency for the 2nd Biennial 01SJ Global Festival of Art on the Edge, ZERO1, CADRE Laboratory and the Lucas Artists Program, Montalvo Arts Center in partnership with the Natalie and James Thompson Art Gallery at San José State University.

For bulbo, San Jose: DIY Media Strategies from the Border, bulbo lead a week-long workshop, sharing their experience in media production with youth working with CommUniverCity, STAND, and SNI at the McKinley Neighborhood Center, during which a permanent digital media outlet was created. Called the FW/BT Broadcast Unit, (FW/BT for Five Wounds/Brookwood Terrace, the neighborhood where the youth live) the station is stocked with easy-to-use equipment and basic instructions. These tools have a short learning curves yet do not compromise the ability of an engaged individual to explore video and web broadcasting on a deep level. The youth will use the FW/BT Broadcast Unit to learn how to use video and web broadcasting to tell their stories, concerns, and ideas in order to help their community. Primary in bulbo's collaboration with the youth, is the idea that the youth have the power to shape how others see them and their neighborhood; that video and web broadcast are tools that can help the youth do so. bulbo's exhibition in the Thompson Gallery at San José State University will act as a platform to showcase the work created by the youth, and through a video response mechanism via YouTube, create a direct link between SJSU and the youth who frequent the Neighborhood Center. Over time, the hope is that the work done at the neighborhood media station will continue to refine itself and in addition to being a tool for self-expression, help the residents realize two community goals developed in partnership with CommUniverCity: to provide opportunities to youth that offer an alternative to gang activity, and to create and foster a college-going culture in the neighborhood.