Street roots., March 10, 2017, Page 11, Image 11

Page 12
News / Poetry
OPEN SIGNAL, from page 7
did your approach or outlook fo r the
organization change?
"W e're one o f the la rg e s t com«
m nxilty m e d ia centers In th e
vehicles. That’s where we get incredibly
J.H.: Definitely. We’re really fortunate in c raa try« We d e fin ite ly fe el the
excited to start exploring VR, AR
this city, to an extent that we have
(augmented reality), immersive media, and
w e ig h t e l th a t re s p o n s ib ility on
politicians who had the vision to ensure
storytelling, kinetic sculpture, to leverage
o u r shoulders — to dem onstrate
that community media was funded. In most
technology to tell stories and to create
the p o te n tia l a nd the p o s itiv e
other cities, this doesn’t exist We’re one
social im pact That’s where we deviate
Im p a ct a n o rg a n is a tio n lik e
from the traditional
of the largest
plan, where we have
community media
th is , w hen fir in g on a ll c y lin ­
centers in the
an all-encompassing
Open Signal channels
ders* can h a w * We are n o t a t
country. We
idea of what media
a ll te rrito ria l^ w e're excited to
Pulse of Portland showcases content
is. We don’t see
definitely feel the
share
e v e ry th in g th a t w e've
curated
by
Open
Signal
and
other
arts
ourselves as being
weight of that
organizations.
responsibility on our- lea rn e d as m uch as p o s s ib le ."
limited by any one
form of media over
shoulders - to
CityNet broadcasts live coverage of
JUSTEN HARM,
another.
demonstrate
the
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPEN SIGNAL
city and county meetings,
That said, our
potential and the
CAN, ITN 22, and UN 23 feature
funding is contingent
positive impact an
upon our continuing
organization like
content created by the public.
coming to us with a very different sort of
to run our cable
this, when firing o n
project that they want to create. They’ll
access channels. So
all cylinders, can
come through our classes, and everyone
have. We are not at all territorial; we’re
given the fact that we reach 400,000
will have radically different ideas for the
excited to share everything that we’ve
homes, we are going to do as much as we
outcomes that they want.
learned as much as possible. ’Cause we?ve
possibly can to leverage those for impact
I think where the technology is now, it’s
as well.
gotta get community media centers in
not beyond anyone. The equipment that we
swing
states,
stat!
We are (also) sensitive to the stigma of
use is intentionally very straightforward,
public access, and we work to transcend i t
K.J.: W hat would you tell someone who + and though there is a degree of
This was created for marginalized
doesn’t have any digital media knowledge but
sophistication to some of the gear, for the
populations to have a voice, and of course,
wants to get involved somehow?
most part, we’re really reinforcing the
as the case with all things for folks that
importance of the principles of
J.H.: I would invite them to come to one
don’t have resources, it was stigmatized
storytelling. Of course technical knowledge
of our events, m eet up with our staff, and
over time, and co-opted by folks that it
is wonderful, but really we’re a community
talk about their interests. One of the
wasn’t initially intended for.
of storytellers, and we are attempting to
strengths of the center is that it’s really up
KJ.: A fter the 2016 presidential election,
facilitate authentic engagement. And if you
to the specific artist or maker. Everyone is
have a story to tell, please come find us.
VE
Street Roots • March 10-16, 2017
Knight’s Q uest
by A v e n d o r
I’m gunning for love
If I can capture that flag
Scrubbing the palace
With bucket and rag.
Looking with conviction
A silhouette in the dusk
Keeping my mind noble
Like a bronze b u st
Entering your heart’s chapel
I kneel in the pews
Pricked by the thorns
Bleeding for you.
For if this here troubled story
Can find a new home
In your loveliest of souls
Treasured tomes
Then all else will be
Redemption and grace
And we can tackle the world
In sword and in lace.
PEOPLE.
PLANET.
LA UG HING PLANET.CO M