The Peace Paper Project came to campus on Wednesday, October 5, to engage students in a unique experience that stretched their creative muscles, all while bringing awareness to an important social issue: sexual and domestic violence.
That unique experience? Panty pulping. That’s right. Students used panties, underwear, socks, or other intimate clothing items to pulp and then make their own paper.
In other words:
“Panty Pulping is a public intervention by Peace Paper Project that calls an end to sexual and domestic violence in all forms. Panty Pulping is literally the transformation of underwear into paper art as a means of addressing the unmentionable. This workshop promotes consent, non-violence, and creative expressions of resilience through hand papermaking” (Peace Paper Project).
By using these unconventional materials to make the paper, participants are inspired to spark a conversation about the awareness and prevention of sexual violence. To start of the experience, The Peace Paper Project asks that each student signs a pledge. The pledge reads:
“By participating in this process, I am making a vow to myself and my community to use my power to promote peace – and to prevent violence – in thought, speech, and action.”
The students were then taken through the entire process of pulping the paper, screening and setting it, and then adding their own design with stencils such as graphics of underwear, strong female images, or words and phrases like “I am a Feminist” and “RESPECT”.
The overall event is a fun, interactive, and creative way to get students talking about important issues and even learn something about the making of art.
“I think it’s one of the coolest events because it brings in so many disciplines. From women’s studies, the PRISM group, to even general education students, it’s an event for all,” Kristin Quinn, art department chair, said. “It’s a great community builder and I think the message is really empowering. I’m just really proud that we’re doing this.”
While all the students were enjoying themselves and showing off their paper creations, the process can be used as art therapy for those affected by sexual or domestic violence. The paper and the paper making process is a great way to “spread awareness and promote healthy relations” (Peace Paper Project).
At the end of the day, the Peace Paper Project helped spread its message of awareness and peace to the students of SAU, giving them a creative, expressive outlet for a healthy conversation about a heavy topic.
If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual or domestic violence, know there are resources on and off campus that can help. Call the sexual assault hotline at 800-656-HOPE or visit the Student Counseling Center at SAU.
Visit www.peacepaperproject.org to donate or learn more about the Peace Paper Project and their other awareness workshops.
Photos: Reghan Edwards