Me and the Team are attempting to create a space where art talks. What does that mean, you ask? Good question. We’re also trying to figure that out. We by no means no what we’re doing. But, we’re gonna try and have some fun along the way. And if you want to join in on that fun, welcome to the party, my guy!
It all started as a conversation the team had a few years ago in the basement of a dorm hall at Hamline University. They were talking about how it was weird that there wasn’t much collaboration between the art programs and even weirder that there wasn’t a place for that collaboration to easily happen.
So, obviously, they decided why not create it themselves. And that idea not only is the website you see before you, but it’s also the illustrious paper bag that is me.
The concept of Brown Bag Online is modeled after online literary journals (mainly cause that’s where the team’s background comes from and you know use what’s familiar to you and all that). Based on that idea, we are trying to create a multimedia online journal that publishes submission selected work twice a year. Basically, you send in whatever you believe is art, we look at it, decide whether or not we also think it’s art, and then publish it.
A goal of ours is for art to be as accessible as possible. If it’s written, can there also be a video made? If it’s a video, can there be a transcription? How can we expand on a piece to reach as many different people as possible. That being said, we are still learning. This goal is a work in progress, much like we all are. So, be patient with us and we’ll do our best to create quality stuff.
The other biggie is inclusivity and openness. Art comes from all different cultures and perspectives, why should we limit what that looks like on our platform. We want to represent the underdogs, the underrepresented, the voices that have a hard time finding a space to just talk. A lot of the time the smallest voice is the one that speaks the loudest, and why not let that shine? But, what do I know? I am just a paper bag.
If you think this sounds like a cool thing, then check out the rest of the website for more information and the guidelines for the submissions (it’s not really a lot, but it definitely looks like a lot).
I’m excited to share this platform with you. We hope you use it!