The Mischief Makers
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We are a loose collective of artists and activists. Individual Mischief Makers have been involved in many projects, events and actions, contributing their energy, labour and creative input. Here is an overview..
Heathrow to Kingsnorth Climate Caravan (27.07.2008 / 03.08.2008)
Various Mischief Makers took part in the 'Heathrow to Kingsnorth Climate Caravan' that traversed through South England and London by foot and wheels. A series of events took place every day to act as local outreach in the run up to the Climate Camp, as well as to meet and share experiences with local people and groups taking collective action against the root causes of climate change in their communities. Mischief Makers performed as fleeing penguins and polar bears, and climate refugees on boats migrating due to the devastating effects of climate change.
Photo report on Indymedia 1
Photo report on Indymedia 2
Nottingham Riders Set Off For Climate Camp (audio)
Dangerous Cycling Stunts at Big Day Out (13.08.2007 / 20.08.2007)
A couple of Mischief Makers performed crazy bike stunts at the Big Wheel’s Big Day Out. The event is held at Nottingham Castle and designed to give the public a notion of sustainable living and transport. Cycling was a big thing there, with a variety of bikes, bicycle maintance, a bicycle powered bubble machine and a couple of mischievious (and dangerous) cyclists.
The Big Wheel
Photo report on Indymedia 1
Photo report on Indymedia 2
Camp for Climate Action, Heathrow Airport (13.08.2007 / 20.08.2007)
As part of the Camp for Climate Action, various Mischief Makers helped with the setting up and running of the camp as well as giving workshops during the week. One of the Mischief Maker banners was used during a kids blockade of Heathrow's World Freight Centre. Around 15 children and their parents from around the UK blocked the entrance for about an hour. The blockaders unrolled the banner on the road, reading 'Enjoy Local Food' to highlight the effects to climate change that flying food around the world causes. Also some Mischief Makers helped make wooden globes, a strong symbol, of which some were used to protect against over-enthusiastic police officers.
Camp for Climate Action
Coverage on Indymedia
The Last Chance Saloon at Big Green Gathering (01.08.2007 / 05.08.2007)
After more than a week of hard graft, the volunteer crew created the Last Chance Saloon again at this years Big Green Gathering. It is amazing what was achieved by a combination of recycled and re-used materials and application of endless creativity and sweat. Partly build and staffed by Mischief Makers, this collective effort was aimed at raising donations for and awareness about the Camp for Climate Action, which took place two weeks later.
Big Green Gathering
Article with photos on Indymedia
Pedal Powered Clowns set off for Palestine (14.05.2007)
Four activists, one of them a dedicated Mischief Maker, got on their bikes in Nottingham and set off for an epic journey through mainland Europe. The project 'Pedal Powered Clowns to Palestine' brought together performance, clowning, action and pedal power to raise awareness of the situation in Palestine as well as entertaining and supporting the Palestinian community through play. In the last few months the group raised money through benefit events in Nottingham to fund their trip.
Interview with activists (audio)
Article with photos on Indymedia
Protect the patients - March Against NHS Cutbacks (23.09.2006)
In this instance, the Mischief Makers worked to support the work of unions and other groups opposing the cuts and privitisation of the UK's National Health Service (NHS). To add a creative element to the trade unions work, a giant syringe was built which took part in a 2,000 people strong demonstration, including many health workers, through the City of Nottingham. The syringe got plenty of attention and was a favorite with TV and photography journalists.
Article on BBC
Photo report on Indymedia 1
Photo report on Indymedia 2
Article with photos on Indymedia on building the syringe
Day of Action Against Drax Power Station (31.08.2006)
Supporting the Camp for Climate Action, which was set up near Drax, the largest coal fired power station in Europe and the biggest single contributor to CO2 emissions in the UK, the Mischief Makers ran workshops during the week. With children who attended the camp, a giant ostrich puppet was made which was taken on the 'kids march' to Drax Power Station on one of the last days of the camp. The ostrich was seized by the police. Chief Inspector Barry Smith was serious when he told the BBC a giant 'home-made ostrich' had been seized by police, and found to be containing tools which could have been used by demonstrators to 'chain themselves to fences'.
Article on BBC
Article on Indymedia
Action for Youth Centre and Open Borders in Novi Sad, Serbia (22.07.2006)
As part of this action, the Mischief Makers build a giant bird with local youths as a symbolic way of opening up Serbian borders and made an impressive mosaic on the same theme, to be used in a new youth centre. The action was organised by Kulturanova, which runs various visual arts festivals and the Volonterski Centar Vojvodine, a volunteer centre, which has been campaigning for a cultural youth centre in the city.
Article on Indymedia
Full Art and Activism Caravan coverage
Demanding better seating in local stadium in Plav, Montenegro (12.07.2006)
During a parade in Plav, a remote town in the mountains of Southern Montenegro, the Mischief Makers worked with local youth on an issue that is of great importance to them. A giant football and stadium seat were made out of willow and paper mache and a petition was handed over to the Major of Plav to ask for better seating in the football stadium.
Photo report on Indymedia 1
Photo report on Indymedia 2
Full Art and Activism Caravan coverage
An action for clean and reliable drinking water in Tirana, Albania (05.07.2006)
Over 40 people gathered at the Ministry for Internal Affairs in the centre of Tirana, the capital of Albania. The issue is Tirana's drinking water, which is not clean, unreliable as it comes out of the tap only a few hours a day and that sewage systems continue to pollute the water sources. Rebellious clowns handed out some of Tirana's finest tabwater, which was refused by most passers by, the Water Daughters were dressed in costumes showcasting the problems and got passers by involved by asking them what they would do to contribute to cleaner water.
Article with photos on Indymedia
Full Art and Activism Caravan coverage
Rubbish Day Out 2 (03.06.2006)
This community event, partly organised by the Mischief Makers, was designed to draw attention to Nottingham's lack of recycling facilities. The event highlighted this fact, and further, to show that many items, thoughtlessly discarded, might have a 'second life' if people just thought about it. Many ideas for 'recycled arts' were explored, with much local support and and many ideas for kids to get involved.
Article with photos on Indymedia
Nottingham's Greenweeks 2006 (27.05.2006 / 18.06.2006)
Greenweeks 2006 saw over 100 events take place in Greater Nottingham and beyond. Events ranged from family open days at community gardens to films, talks and wildlife walks. Both the briefing event at Blue Bell Hill School in St Anns, the launch event at Nottingham Castle as well as the 'Rubbish Day Out' were organised with help from the Mischief Makers.
More Bannerdrops in Sneinton (08.03.2006)
Mischief Makers and concerned local residents did two banner drops in Sneinton. Many local residents came out in support, to show that people in Nottingham prefer clean air and recycling to waste turned into pollution. One was hung on Sneinton Boulevard, reading 'Give Sneinton Better Recycling Facilities' and 'Please Stop The Incinerator Expansion. The other banner around the corner read 'Clean Air? Breath Easy!'
Photo report on Indymedia 1
Photo report on Indymedia 2
Handing in incinerator petition (06.03.2006)
With the expectation that Nottingham City Council would make a decision regarding the proposed expansion of Eastcroft incinerator later in the month, Sneinton residents, activists and Mischief Makers handed over 3019 signatures to councillors at Nottingham's Council House. Many came in support, to show that people in Nottingham prefer clean air and recycling to waste turned into pollution. Around the same time one Mischief Maker made a short film to spread the message of the campaign against the incineration expansion.
Article with photos on Indymedia
Promotional film for NAIL campaign
Destitute Asylum Seeker vigil (03.03.2006)
Nottingham Refugee Forum (NNRF) held a 'Living Ghosts' vigil outside St Peters Church in Nottingham. The 'Solidarity Sisters' joined the vigil, asking passers-by to add their own paper shopping bag to a display with a wish list of what they would need if they were starting a new life in a new country.
Government policies mean that increasing numbers of people seeking asylum are being left destitute, homeless, or living on food parcels. Destitute asylum seekers do not have the right to work, and have no way to sustain themselves. These are often people who have fled persecution and suffering – and rather than receive support and shelter in the UK, are forced to live as virtual ghosts.
Article with photos on Indymedia
Recycling art and banner making workshop (22.01.2006)
Mischief Makers got together for a recycling-art and banner making workshop at the Sumac Centre in Nottingham. It was shown that with a little creativity, it is possible to put alsorts of material, that most would normally discarded, applied to other use. The banner making session was to promote and practically support the activities of Nottingham Against Incineration and Landfill (NAIL) campaign.
Article with photos on Indymedia
Rubbish Day Out (03.12.2005)
Sneinton's 'Rubbish Day Out' was held in Sneinton, Nottingham, to raise awareness of the proposed expansion of the Eastcroft incinerator and promote recycling through fun and games. Artists worked to put new use to waste materials as lantern making, basket weaving, banner painting and wallet making workshops will take place throughout the day. Other activities included poetry, speakers, live music and refreshments from the new Sneinton community cafe collective. A day to show people there are better and more positive ways of dealing with waste other than incineration..
Article with photos on Indymedia
Bannerdrop in Sneinton (12.11.2005)
With NAIL's (Nottingham Against Incineration and Landfill) intent on drawing attention to the incineration of waste at the Eastcroft plant and the proposed expansion of capacity, a bunch of Mischief Makers hung a huge banner across Sneinton Boulevard to promote the campaign. Depending on the wind direction, particulates and gas can be blown about, anywhere in Nottingham. But with the prevailing winds, the Sneinton area is particularly affected. Drivers honked in support and passers-by stopped to find out what it's all about.
Article with photos on Indymedia
Sheffield No Borders Tour (15.10.2005)
Four Solidarity Sisters went over to Sheffield to help out with the Magical Mystery tour, to spread the message of soldarity with refugees and those seeking asylum in the UK. One Solidarity Sister explains: 'We have appeared in these costumes a couple of times in Nottingham and in Sheffield. We dress in little white dresses, with one of us in lederhosen and hats and bags.. It's about showing solidarity. It's more a sort of universal image. On the bands and the skirts there's lots of images of people holding hands. It's about spreading equality, friendship and acceptance. We look a little bit like aid nurses. Like it's about having a helping hand. Being there to support people. The dresses we're made from reclaimed fabrics. They we're used for car seat padding. It's good to be reusing stuff.'
Article with photos on Indymedia 1
Article with photos on Indymedia 2
Market Square protest against incinerator expansion (08.10.2005)
People gathered in the Market Square, Nottingham on Saturday afternoon as part of the Nottingham Against Incineration and Landfill (NAIL) campaign. "We are campaigning to get our City Council to stop supporting the incinerator, oppose the expansion plans and end its contract with Waste Recycling Group and improve on its appalingly low recycling rate of only 9%. We must end the madness of incineration and the continued pollution of our most precious resource, air, the substance of life. We have a right to breath air free of dust, heavy metals, chemicals and substances that we know are highly poisonous and cause cancer." Various Mischief Makers made banners for the action and dressed up.
Article with photos on Indymedia
Hiroshima and Nagasaki 60th anniversary commemoration (09.09.2005)
60th Anniversary vigil in Market Square, Nottingham organised by Nottingham CND and Greenpeace. Local groups holding events all across the country to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Four Mischief Makers joined the commemoration dressed as geisha's.
Photo report on Indymedia 1
Photo report on Indymedia 2
Nottingham CND
G8 Summit, Scotland (02.07.2005 / 09.07.2005)
As part of the protests surrounding the G8 summit meeting of world leaders in Gleneagles, Scotland, Mischief Makers made kimono's and dressed as Geisha'a to add some colour and creativity to the actions. During fundraisers, infonights and the ministrial meetings ahead of the main summit, Mischief Makers worked to raise awareness of global issues as world poverty, climate change and world leading institutions such as the World Bank, IMF and the G8 among people in a positive way.
Action against proposed incineration expansion (15.05.2005)
Residents of Sneinton and surrounding areas of Nottingham, came to protest against plans to expand a nearby waste incinerator facility. The company, Waste Recycling Group Ltd (WRG), are preparing a planning application for expansion, and in support of this, had organised an exhibition. People went along to see it, and to make their feelings known. People protested at the entrance to the club in Meadow Lane. Banners held, leaflets handed out, and a discussion held with the organisers of the exhibition. A couple of Mischief Makers appeared dressed in colourful costumes, decorated with the theme of recycling and waste management.
Report with photos on Indymedia
Protest for migrant and asylum rights (02.04.2005)
Noisy demonstration at the Market Square, Nottingham. Several hundred turned out to make a stand against racism and fortress Europe and for the rights of migrants and asylum seekers. For citizenship based on residency and the closing of all detention centres. A couple of Solidarity Sisters handed out small paper cut out of homes and asked bystanders to write on it what they considered home.
Report with photos on Indymedia
G8 ministerial meeting, Derby (17.03.2005)
In advance of the main G8 meeting at Gleneagles, there are a number of mini-meetings. This one was for Environment & development ministers meeting at Breadsall Priory Hotel, a few miles north of Derby. However, demonstrations, outside of a market area, within the City of Derby, were banned. A couple of Mischief Makers went to along to add some colour and creativity to the manifestation.
Report with photos on Indymedia
Shakedown*05 (12.03.2005)
Shakedown*05 was a very big one-off all-night fundraising event in Nottingham, UK. It was aimed at raising awareness of global issues as world poverty, climate change and world leading institutions such as the World Bank, IMF and the G8 among people in a positive way. It also raised a substantial sum for the anti-G8 mobilisation in Scotland in 2005.
A Drop in the Ocean (20.01.2005)
A Drop In The Ocean was a large event that took place in Nottingham at various venues to raise money for the crisis funds to aid the areas affected by the Tsunami that hit parts of Asia in 2004 and claimed over 200,000 lives. Although the Mischief Makers hadn't formed just yet, two members-to-be dressed as Geisha's and did a street perfomance in aid of the events.