Final Proposal

Final Project Proposal – Blake Romenesko

The idea I'm most leaning toward is the People's History of the Twin Ports. Where I would create an interactive map showing sites linked to local history of the Anishinaabe, people of color, and the working class. When the user clicks on a site they will see historical images as well as my own photography.

Tools-Google maps is the obvious choice, but I want to look into other interactive map programs. The long term goal would be to create my own interface like the Dijital Pasaj project and even make into a phone app.

Timeline plan of action-

This week I want to get in contact with some people I know. One person I know is well versed in local labor history, another person knows local history about people of color. About six months ago somebody did a presentation at the Duluth Public Library about Anishinaabe sites in Duluth. I think I have the network to find that person. From there determine sites.

Next Week would be to photograph sites and organize map.

3 examples-

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/A-Before-and-After-Look-at-Americas-Great-Cities.html

http://www.worldology.com/Europe/europe_history_lg.htm

http://www.mapsofwar.com/ind/history-of-religion.html

Interactive Media Responses and What-Not

SAM HAGEN'S PEICE
I thoroughly enjoyed Sam Hagen's piece at the Tweed. I interacted with it by deciding which column to stand by which played a different note. Also I played with my distance from the column which caused the note to change pitch. Sam was probably playing with the relation between human and computer. The columns communicated with each other as humans communicate with themselves, which can be commentary on relations.

WILD IDEA

REALISTIC IDEA
I'm actually not sure. Right now I am learning how to code Python which is an app coding language. After I finish my Codacademy lesson(I'm about 1/3 done) I can see what skill I possess to create something in my skill range. 

Pumpkins

Here's some pumpkins that were carved at my house this year:

I made the top one which is says Love > $. The next one down was made by this guy staying at my house named Michael. He named his pumpkin "Vamp Jenkins," and he partially scooped out on inside under the eyes to make it look like it was blushing. The last one was made by Justin. It's a lazy version of the IWW symbol. 

I bought them super cheap from this old guy who sells produce from the back of his truck. He also sold me six squash for $5. 

Links

How to get leap app development kit.
https://www.leapmotion.com/developers

How to learn basic coding
http://www.codecademy.com/dashboard

Duluth Locative - City Hall

Where you are now standing at is Duluth City Hall. It was built in 1928, and is one of four buildings in the Duluth Civic Center Historical District. Throughout the 1930's local farmers, the unemployed, and Communists held rallies here. First Street on the lakeside of the building was also the site to a major labor struggle which led to violent events brought on by the local police.

On April 4, 1938, news workers represented by the Newspaper Guild went on strike for recognition, a union shop, and a union contract. During the strike other union workers associated with the CIO joined the Newspaper Guild in pickets in front of the newspaper offices(where they are still located today.) On May 23, 100 police in riot gear stormed out of City Hall to disperse the pickets with clubs, guns, and tear gas.

Farmer-Labor Governor Elmer Benson supported the striking workers and sent the Minnesota Guard to protect the workers from any further violence from the police. The strike ended in victory for the workers.