'Man in a van' collecting stories of recession ("How has the recession affected you?") story & pics

Kadie

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-31-09 03:31 PM
Original message

'Man in a van' collecting stories of recession ("How has the recession affected you?") story & pics

'Man in a van' collecting stories of recession

By MICHELLE R. SMITH, Associated Press Writer Michelle R. Smith, Associated Press Writer � 47 mins ago

PROVIDENCE, R.I. � The beat-up 1989 Dodge van carries a sign with a question: "How has the recession affected you?" Along the side, a request: "Tell me your story."

Scrawled in marker across the orange paint are hard-luck tales: "My grandma lost her house and my dad is working less hours," signed Peoria, AZ. "I lost my job, my home, my car & was homeless for 6 months. This was the first time in 27 yrs I was out of work," signed Sue W.

The man behind the wheel is Aaron Heideman, 29, an artist from Grants Pass, Ore., who in the past year lost his job at a paint store and began sleeping in the van. He hit the road July 1 with what he calls "The Man in a Van Project," angling for a $250,000 prize at an art fair.

"I just want to give people a voice," he said during a stop in Rhode Island, the 20th state he stopped in during what he calls a nationwide conceptual art piece. His media, as he describes it: a 50-yard roll of Tyvek, a Dodge van, and a homeless man (himself). His final destination is Grand Rapids, Mich., home of ArtPrize, where he plans to display his project in September and October.

snip...
"I lost my job 10 month ago, and I'm still unemployed. I don't have family here and I need help," signed Denis Chavez.

"My parents are always fighting about money," wrote Melissa Curry, 17, of Johnston, R.I.

more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_man_in_a_van

Aaron Heideman, from Grants Pass, Ore, left, listens to how the recession has affected Ed Therrien, right, homeless for three years and living in a tent city underneath the Washington Bridge in East Providence, R.I., Friday, Aug. 28, 2009. Homeless, out of a job, and struggling to get by, Heideman heard about ArtPrize, a competition with a $250,000 grand prize. He hit the road July 1 with what he calls 'The Man in a Van Project,' and since then has been collecting stories from people who have been affected by the recession.
(AP Photo/Stew Milne)

Some of the recession stories scribbled on the van belonging to Aaron Heideman, from Grants Pass, Ore, while it was parked underneath the Washington Bridge in East Providence, R.I., Friday, Aug. 28, 2009. Homeless, out of a job, and struggling to get by, Heideman heard about ArtPrize, a competition with a $250,000 grand prize. He hit the road July 1 with what he calls 'The Man in a Van Project,' and since then has been collecting stories from people who have been affected by the recession.
(AP Photo/Stew Milne)

Aaron Heideman, from Grants Pass, Ore, stands underneath the Washington Bridge in East Providence, R.I., where he had been interviewing homeless people who live in a tent city, Friday, Aug. 28, 2009. Homeless, out of a job, and struggling to get by, Heideman heard about ArtPrize, a competition with a $250,000 grand prize. He hit the road July 1 with what he calls 'The Man in a Van Project,' and since then has been collecting stories from people who have been affected by the recession.
(AP Photo/Stew Milne)

Aaron Heidema, from Grants Pass, Ore, stands underneath the Washington Bridge in East Providence, R.I., where he had been interviewing homeless people who live in a tent city for his project, Friday, Aug. 28, 2009. Homeless, out of a job, and struggling to get by, Heideman heard about ArtPrize, a competition with a $250,000 grand prize. He hit the road July 1 with what he calls 'The Man in a Van Project,' and since then has been collecting stories from people who have been affected by the recession.
(AP Photo/Stew Milne)

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

d_b

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-31-09 03:36 PM
Response to Original message

1. DOWN BY THE RIVER

Good for him.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Kadie

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-31-09 05:06 PM
Response to Reply #1

2. I thought it was a very clever idea he had.

I wish him well.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Edweird

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-31-09 06:32 PM
Response to Reply #1

5. :)

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

SpiralHawk

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-31-09 05:12 PM
Response to Original message

3. The Republipression sucks

And you can quote me on that.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

earth mom

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-31-09 05:53 PM
Response to Original message

4. I hope this guy wins!

:thumbsup:

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Cha

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Mon Aug-31-09 06:36 PM
Response to Original message

6. Good, this is a very creative project and

the personal stories should be recorded, anyway.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Fri Apr 19th 2024, 04:32 PM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.