Sock prayer flags.....

While I'm catching up on posts...yes 3 in one night!....I thought I'd invite you to take a look at the fabulous website my sister made for my OddSocks Fringe Festival art installation/health promotion/charity project at http://art4health.freehostia.com/. The first phase of the project ended on Oct 8th. It was a great success and we were invited to do the installation 3 more times in various locations; in Geelong for Christmas, at CERES environmental park, and at the end of Oxfam Trailwalker. If you'd like to get involved, you can send your OddSocks and/or your sock stories to me at rnhawkins@students.latrobe.edu.au.

Sock stories you say? Who has stories about their socks? So many people think they don't have stories and then they start talking and realize they do! Some people have stories about why they keep their odd socks, others about where the lost socks go, some have stories about where their socks came from, or where they've been, or how long they've had them, or who else has worn them. There have been touching stories about people keeping socks from lost loved ones, stories about favorite or lucky (particularly sports) socks, some tell stories of socks as symbols of their relationship with another, some have only one left because they used the other to make something special, some have been around the world or were knitted by someone interesting. Whatever your story is, I'd like to hear it. At the end of all of this I am planning to compile a book of stories and photographs from the exhibit.

What is all of this for you ask? Firstly, I believe that participatory art has great benefit for public health in general (we engaged so many disengaged people with the installation; street kids, the homeless, the elderly, moms or dads with kids, etc and made connections between groups and between individuals), saw so many smiles, made so many people think...why are there clotheslines on the lawn in the center of the city?...is this saying something about individuality/diversity/racism/homelessness/the environment?), secondly, we are using the installation as an opportunity to raise awareness on foot health issues by giving information and advice on podiatry concerns, exercise, diabetes, etc. free pedometers too!, and thirdly we thought we'd also raise money for some worthy foot causes, a skills transfer program for Cambodians to learn to make protheses locally for victims of landmines, and for podiatry needs that are part of Oxfam Trailwalker (Oxfam's biggest fundraiser in Australia). Again check out the website for more info on all of this. I look forward to hearing from you!