what a brilliant idea!!!
Call for Proposals - Bed-In at the Bluecoat
Non-violent action for a better world
John Lennon and Yoko Ono side-by-side during the Amsterdam bed-in, 1969
We are now inviting applications from individuals or groups for
Bed-In at the Bluecoat
In celebration of John Lennon’s commitment to peace, the Bed-In at the Bluecoat will pay homage to one of the actions that John Lennon and Yoko Ono carried out in 1969 immediately after they were married. Their week long bed-ins for peace, staged first in Amsterdam then in Montreal, were expressions of non-violent protest against war. ‘Drove from Paris to the Amsterdam Hilton
Talking in our beds for a week
The newspapers said
Say what're you doing in bed
I said we're only trying to get us some peace.’
Talking in our beds for a week
The newspapers said
Say what're you doing in bed
I said we're only trying to get us some peace.’
(The Beatles, The Ballad of John and Yoko)
This year, to mark the birth of John Lennon 70 years ago and his death 30 years ago, Liverpool City Council is holding a John Lennon Tribute Season in Autumn 2010. Bed-In at the Bluecoat will be part of this season and is endorsed by Yoko Ono, who has a long-standing relationship with the Bluecoat, where she performed in 1967 and again in 2008, and the city:‘I think it's wonderful that they will be doing Bed-In ..... There should be many lively discussion (sic) with the visitors of the bed and the couple in the bed, just like there were at the time John and I did it. There is much to discuss in terms of War and Peace now.’
The Bed-In can’t happen without you! Would you like to be a part of this special event?Bed-In at the Bluecoat invites proposals from anyone who wishes to contribute to this tradition of non-violent action for a better world, using the format of occupying a double-bed sited publicly at the Bluecoat.
There are no rules for what the bed-in actions might be. Actions can be serious, humorous, commemorative, and provocative – or all of these in one. All we ask is that you experiment with the framework of the bed-in and do something with it which contributes to the tradition of non-violent protest or which helps us to imagine a better world. John and Yoko used the bed to hold a series of conversations with the media and with world figures. But they also lounged about in their pyjamas, cuddled, sniffed flowers and sang. ‘Give Peace a Chance’ came out of the Montreal bed-in. How would you like to use the public placing of the bed in the Bluecoat building and how would you want to use the bed-in a way of engaging members of the public?
Yoko Ono: This is for world peace. We are thinking instead of going out and fighting and make wars, we should just stay in bed
Together: Everyone should stay in bed
John Lennon: And grow their hair.
Extract from interview at Amsterdam bed-in
Bed-In at the Bluecoat: How will it work?A different action will take place each day (and should take place at least during the core hours of 11 am – 3 pm on weekdays and 11 am to 4 pm at weekends). The bed will be mainly situated in the Bluecoat Hub for most of the Bed-In although some events will take place in other areas in and around the Bluecoat. We actively encourage a diversity of groups and individuals to apply. All interesting ideas will be considered.
Dates: The Bed-In days will run from 9th October (which would have been John Lennon’s 70th birthday) to 9th December (the day - UK time - of the 30th anniversary of his assassination). This means there will be 62 occupiers of the bed
Research: If you want to find out more about John and Yoko’s bed-ins in Amsterdam and Montreal (and other bed-ins that have happened since then), check out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed-In
To see a selection of photographs taken at one of the bed-ins have a look at: www.guardian.co.uk/music/gallery/2009/may/26/john-yoko-peace-chance
To apply:
Just complete the simple form attached outlining how you (and your fellow Bed-In participants, if appropriate) would want to use the bed for the day and what you would wish to achieve.
Give us some information about what your proposed action would consist of and how you would use the time alloted to you (or if you’d want more time than the standard slots). Tell us how you see it fitting with the idea of ‘non-violent action for a better world’. We also need you to submit some information about you and/or your group/associates.
CVs are welcome but if you don’t submit a CV it won’t spoil your chances. Good ideas will prevail. Proposals should be sent to: bed-in@thebluecoat.org.uk
Bed-In Blog: The Bluecoat is hosting a special Bed-In blog throughout the event to capture what happens from day to day. This will give the wider public a chance to engage with the Bed-In and follow its progress. All participants will be invited to contribute to this blog (up to 250 words) at the end of their bed-in day.
Selection process: Participants will be selected by the Bluecoat’s Artistic Director and the Project Director based on i) the strength of their idea and its contemporary relevance, and ii) the extent to which they imaginatively use the format of the bed-in. The second closing date for proposals is Wednesday 29th September. Successful applicants will be contacted as soon as possible, and all responded to within one week. The selection panel’s decision is final. No correspondence will be entered into regarding selection decisions.
Exclusions: In keeping with the purpose of the event there will be the following exclusions: material that is illegal, slanderous, obscene, uses foul language, puts the participant or audience at risk, involves nudity or that might cause offence on the grounds of race, gender, age, etc. Participants must be aged 18 or over
Expenses: Bluecoat will provide the bed and freshly-washed bed-linen. Participants will be expected to cover all other costs. Refreshments will be served to participants on the day.
We look forward to receiving your proposals.
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/john-and-yokos-year-of-peace/
Amazing that a nearly hour-long film about a Beatle that contains almost no music could still be worthwhile, but that’s the case with John & Yoko’s Year of Peace.
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/john-and-yokos-year-of-peace/
Amazing that a nearly hour-long film about a Beatle that contains almost no music could still be worthwhile, but that’s the case with John & Yoko’s Year of Peace.
