MLAB MISSION STATEMENT


The Mobile Literacy Arts Bus (MLAB) is an artist-run, renovated recreational vehicle that exists as a flexible space open to community members’ proposals for alternative educational and cultural programming.

MLAB is the collaborative effort of the 2007-2008 Social Sculpture class at Syracuse University, comprised of 10 art and architecture students and lead by artist and Director of Community Initiatives in the Visual Arts of Syracuse University, Marion Wilson. Our mission was to transform a used, 1984 Recreational Vehicle Bus into a Mobile Literacy and Arts Bus for use by the Syracuse City School District and the greater Syracuse Community. MLAB serves as a physical manifestation of Syracuse University’s Scholarship in Action initiative, by pairing University resources with community needs in an attempt to address the staggering drop out rates in the Syracuse City School District High Schools. Through the School of Education at Syracuse University, incredible curricula that bridge photography, poetry and literacy currently exist within the public schools-- however due to a crisis of space, the schools don't always have the space or resources to house it. MLAB is this space. The bus serves as a mobile classroom, digital photo lab, gallery space, and community center. As a team, we did it all: demolition, design, and construction.

MLAB is made possible from the generous support of the School of Education at Syracuse University and Entitiative.

Monday, February 11, 2008

updates

Fantastic work Jessica. What I am realizing about this collaborative designing is that if we have one lead on the task, in consultation with the group, we set up an assembly line process so that others can chip in and help. So while you are waiting for the samples, let's imagine how you can lead the cushion team. I guess factories developed assembly lines for a reason.

Vince, Yun Pei and I bought the scraps of plastic from Laird Plastic today. Wednesday morning will be pick up and delivery to the Warehouse of the plastic where it will be laid out in the ceiling shape and the light fixture holes cut. We were only able to buy two different saturations of white (that is all they stock even in full sheets) - but we were able to get varying thickness and each of the scraps is a different size ranging from 4'xalmost 8" to 1'x2'.

We are waiting for a report on the electric work of this past weekend.
All hands on deck for Thursday's class.
Tim Rollins of Tim Rollins and KOS (go on line to look him up)
is having a tour of the RV tomorrow at 11:30 followed by lunch. Jessica and I will be there. All other mlabbers are invited - just let me know.
Marion
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