Okay, everyone. Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted on the blog. Too many things have happened along my journey to keep up recently. Traveling through Michigan collecting recession stories, competing in Artprize… My goodness. Where do I begin?
Well, I can tell you that I didn’t win Artprize. In fact, I didn’t even place in the Top 100. It’s totally okay. In fact, that’s not what it was about anyway. If I would have won, there’s no way I could have possibly slept at night unless I gave the money away. Actually, that was the plan.
There’s so much to write about. So much to share. So many stories and experiences, both personally and throughout the communities I’ve visited. I’m hoping you will continue checking up on my progress. It’s not over until these stories are told to a mass audience, and Artprize wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. I plan to write a book now; I just hope it will do justice to all the things I’ve learned along the way.
Please continue in your interest with this project. I still need to get back home, so if you’re able to support the project with a donation, please click the Paypal button on the side of the screen. I’m also looking for a 6-month artist residency in the Seattle area, an artist grant to pay for living expenses, and storage for the van and banner until I can get them into a permanent museum collection. I also need to find a book publisher. Let me know if you have any ideas to make these things happen.
I look forward to sharing the project with all of you in book form later on in 2010. Thanks again for your encouragement and support.
Aaron Heideman, The Man in a Van Project
I saw your van at the I-80 Truck Stop in Wallcot, Iowa. I read some of the stories that were written on the van and I was impressed with the amount of stories people were telling about how they were affected by this recession/depression. I had to take a few photos of it, since I would not see it again.
I heard about your travels about a month ago on the blogosphere and it would have been great to have met you in person, but that is cool. I know I would love to read about your travels and the stories that were told. I find that first hand accounts of what is going on the best at showing what is truly going on and not what main stream media wants to feed you.
Keep up the great work and I hope you will get home safely as well as get the chance to tell those stories that you have collected.
Thanks James! Sorry I missed you at the truck stop. In Nebraska now, on my way to Colorado and then back to the west coast. Take care. Working on the book as we speak!
-Aaron
Hello, If you are traveling around Louisville,KY please contact us. We help run a camp and welcome you to stay here for lodging, dinner, shower etc. E-mail us if you need our help.
My mom met you at the Casey’s in Earlham, Iowa off of I80. She was there with a little white dog waiting to give an employee a ride home. She called to tell me about you, and your project. It slipped my mind until I saw a new clip about you online. Glad there will be more to come – amazing stories, amazing people. Great project.
Hi Aaron, I met you when I was driving on my way home and saw you working against the wind, nailing your banner to the wall of the building toward the end of Artprize. We chatted for a moment or two, you did mention the book and I did say that I was going to keep an eye on it. Well, here is me keeping my eye on it. Glad to see that you are still working on it, and glad to see that the ArtPrize results haven’t discouraged you from doing so. Just curious, where is the van now? Well, take care, and thank you for your effort in making such an incredible piece (for lack of a better work, the word “piece” seems to minimize all that went into it, but you know what I mean).
Have you considered McSweeneys? Small enough to take an interest in new ideas for books, and large enough that distribution is not bad, I’m guessing, as I see their books all over the place.
Hi Aaron-
I heard about your project through a friend. I’m a photographer who is working on a similar project, only I’m documenting positive recession stories through video and photography. I would love to interview you for my project in the hopes that we may help each other out with promotion. I like your quote that people need a voice. I think people need to see how some lives have changed for the better this year. You would not have had the life experience you did without the recession. Please email me. I’d love to talk more. http://www.thecurrencyproject.com
-Remy Haynes
Aaron,
I haven’t seen you since Xmas at your granny’s, gosh you are always doing something creative.
I read your blog about the church-goin episode and want to finish it but wanted to tell you that your writing is THE BOMB!
I am writing a book too, . . . it’s called KERAZY HOUSEMATES, about this artist that rents rooms so she can do stuff like take off to Texas and paint, the paintings just add credibility to the story, I can send you some links of agents, query letters and things that I’m finding out need to be done in the publishing world . . . yeah right, like I know!
But, I’m finding out.
Hope you make it back for the Holidays unless you are already here.
Cheers,
Pauline Hauder
http://www.paulinehauder.com