Do-It-Together

 

I am such a big fan of do-it-yourself culture. I love it when people create something on their own terms just because they can't find what they are looking for anywhere else. I get giddy about zines, independently released music and blogs and all that good stuff. I admire people who write, make art and play music just because they want to, without worrying whether it is perfect and polished or how much money it will make them.

I have always had a strong sense of community. I am lucky to be surrounded by people who take action just because they want to see things get done. My friends can do anything and they do. They play music, curate art shows, start clubs, run cafes, take photographs, draw, sew and write. They build, make and do and inspire me to try and do the same.

A few years ago, I wrote a book about do-it-yourself culture. It was a wonderful experience to research and write about how people find new ways to create and distribute, away from traditionally commercial routes.

Recently, I was asked to write a piece for a Canadian art journal about how I felt about Do-It-Yourself culture. I wrote that, instead of just doing-it-ourselves, we should do-it-together. Together we are tougher, stronger, braver and infinitely more creative. I believe in that.