The editors of Long River Review — UConn’s student-run, award-winning literary journal — have a unique way of raising awareness for their journal. Each spring, the student editors embark on a Guerrilla Arts mission, ambushing UConn’s Storrs Campus with displays revolving around the literary arts. The events work in two ways: making people aware of the journal, and helping to get creative juices flowing.
I was a member of the editorial board in 2010 and 2011, and though we put our best effort forth that year (utilizing chalk, perception street art, and even post-it notes), one of the displays from this year has definitely put us to shame.
Called “Literary Laundry,” the project involves clotheslines, editors’ dirty laundry, and confessions written by passersby and stuck up on the lines for everyone to see. It’s a fun, interactive way to get a community involved in the writing process, and a great outlet for those deep dark secrets. And, if you’re lucky, you might even find something worth writing about from the experience!
Below are the editors’ statement about the project and some photos for your enjoyment. Would you have the guts to share your dirty laundry?
“Inspired by one of this year’s published poems — Danilo Machado’s ‘Laundry.’ Our conversation-starter with passersby was: ‘Hey, would you like to share your dirty laundry with us?’ The reactions were priceless. The actual ‘dirty laundry,’ written on the index cards — even better.”
