October 14 2024

Museum Monday: Celebration and Remembrance

Each of these two subjects today feel like they could be newsletters on their own, but I think the new reality of all of this is the co-existence of news, interesting stuff, and remembrances; the daily activities at the museum all co-exist, so let’s try putting them in a newsletter, too?

First, I find myself living the reality of my seemingly throwaway ideas: “There’s no such thing as efficiency in creativity,” and I can attest to that. I’m not complaining – but I thought that maybe by now, I might have found another, err, more efficient way of being inefficient? Nope. Witness the first set of museum postcards.

Screen-printing sandpaper — makes perfect sense, and we have some experience with that! Then, cutting and gluing the sandpaper onto the cards, assembling then signing, numbering and rubber date stamping the o rings. The rhythm of these tasks creates a meditative space amongst the activities at the museum, a time to celebrate progress, triumphs and creativity. I already have notes for the next set with aspirations for a scratch and sniff banana card in with the set, just to make sure that efficiency still isn’t included in the plans. Plus, it’ll make the museum smell like bananas.

L to R: Martin, Dwayne, Cevin, Mont, Jaz, Geordie

One of the cards celebrates Steve Albini and one of his tape machines and that makes me think that Geordie Walker should have a card in the next set ….and that leads me to the recent passing of DJ photographer and fire-starter Mont Sherar. I often speak about the importance of just one individual to a scene and a local economy. In Miami in the late 80’s, Mont Sherar was that person. We (Killing Joke) ended up at his Kitchen Club connected to a hotel at the same time as Skinny Puppy – talk about being in the middle of it all. I think I danced counter-clockwise in the mosh pit to Ministry after being on the payphone in the lobby with Al, asking if he was serious about me joining the cage tour (he was) – the black eye was worth it. Mont’s love of Killing Joke led him to create the luxurious Twilight Of The Mortals book. I sat with it for a while yesterday, thumbing through the beautiful pages. Somehow, I’d missed the dedication from him in the front, it was a welcome surprise and a tearful farewell.

The tragic circumstances of his passing dictate I should point you at these resources like this one if you’re struggling, and, also, to ask for kindness from each of us as we deal with each other. One thing the museum has shown me is that I have NO IDEA what will excite, animate, ignite someone or send them into a thoughtful memory – it can be something huge, a shredded piece of paper, a signature or a ticket stub that starts that journey – that’s been informative for me, certainly, and a reason to pause amongst it all.

You can break a plate, mess up you hair or fuck up a pancake, but be careful with people ok?

Chicago ILLANNOYS

MUSEUM POSTCARD PACK:

Our first PPIM Postcard Series (set of 10) – amazing designs from Shani Goss (who put the first catalog together) and photos by Jodi Sargent, Bobby Talamine, and Martin! Each package comes with a special, hand screen printed on sandpaper, Museum card – inspired by Durutti Column!