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Iraq Veterans Against the War has become About Face: Veterans Against the War. About Face can be found at aboutfaceveterans.org

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Paper Making @ The Ithaca Veteran's Sanctuary

published by Chantelle Bateman on 06/30/11 2:01pm
Posted to: 
Philadelphia

Eli Wright & Christ Arendt pouring paper pulp around me into the screen mold.

Chantelle Bateman molded in combat paper.

Being at the Ithaca Veteran's Sanctuary for the NE Regional Retreat was amazing.  It was a surprisingly comforting space and the residents were super welcoming.  As an artist I immediately gravitated toward the Combat Paper studio. While breaking down our uniforms, we talked music, politics, FTA, love, and art.  After seeing the large screen I had an overwhelming desire to put my body into the paper.  I wanted to translate a recurring nightmare I have.  Chris Arendt and Eli Wright were all about it. No one in Combat Paper history had put themselves into the paper in such a fashion.  What I loved most is that no one ever said it wasn't possible!  We immediately set out to figure out how.  Gotta love Veterans!  It seems "adapt and overcome" is applicable to healing.  After a few logistical challenges, we figured out how to make it happen.  I curled up in the screen, warmly bathed in the uniforms of nameless brethren, while my friends poured my own around me.  In a brief moment of quiet (everyone around so excited:) I felt the peace of the space and the weight of my memories fall into the paper along with my own tears.  It was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life.  The ability to physically touch your nightmares, to shape them into your own making, is a gift I will forever appreciate.  Thank you all at the Ithaca Veteran's Sanctuary for the opportunity to reshape my dreams.

micheal crouse's picture

Police attacking military personnel

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/06/nyregion/grief-and-anger-after-noel-po... Above is a link to an article about a police shooting of a national guardsman during a traffic stop he was unarmed and hands on the steering wheel...
Chantelle Bateman's picture

Paper Making @ The Ithaca Veteran's Sanctuary

Being at the Ithaca Veteran's Sanctuary for the NE Regional Retreat was amazing.  It was a surprisingly comforting space and the residents were super welcoming.  As an artist I immediately gravitated toward the Combat...
Chantelle Bateman's picture

Build Solidarity, Support the Coalition of Immokalee Workers

Here's a great opportunity to support the work of organizations like IVAW who are working for grassroots change in their communities.  The Coalition of Immokalee Workers has a 10 year history of fighting for low wage...
Chantelle Bateman's picture

"Operation Exposure" Comes to Philly

The  "Operation Exposure" collection, a collaboration between the Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative and veterans and supporters from IVAW, is a direct response to the suicide epidemic and violation of GI’s right to heal...
IVAW Admin's picture

New chapter and group pages!

Welcome to the new chapter and group page's. Because these pages are so new many do not even have their members added yet. If you know an IVAW member who should be listed on this page please email webmaster@ivaw.org or let...

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