Introduction: Creative Discontent Part 2 : CondomNation

Non-Destructive Communication Tools for Mass Public Discourse part 2

CondomNation:
This is the second installment in a series of experimental methods of communication intended to be a creative alternative to regular picketing and rioting, while utilizing accessible non-destructive materials. For this installment you will need:

1 unused condom(freebees can be found at schools and in NYC)
1 Sharpie fine point marker (color depends on condom wrapper)
1 suction cup with attached hook(can be found at hardware and dollar stores in packs)

These quantities are the bare minimum, feel free to bump up the condoms, and the suction cups to meet your needs.

Simply we will be writing messages on condom wrappers and posting them in public for our voice to be heard (so to speak).

Step 1: Finding Your Materials

Condoms:
Almost all highschools and colleges in the U.S. have condoms for free in the health center. I do not know about other cities and states, but New York has it's own condom that is paid for by the city and can be found at many locations If you are not attending highschool or college and do not live in New York City, then you will have to purchase your own condoms from your local drug store, and might I suggest the cheapest ones you can find and in bulk.

Suction cups with hooks:
I purchased these at a hardware store in my neighborhood for $2 in a pack of 5, but I have seen these in certain dollar stores for even cheaper.

Sharpie:
These can be found at art, office supply, and hardware stores. The color will depend on the package design of the condom itself. I used the NYC condom which has a white back and a black front, so I used black sharpies for the back and silver metallic for the front.

Step 2: Prepare Your Message


Think about what you want to write and how you can communicate that message in a 2"x2" square.

Use an appropriate color Sharpie (or any other permanant quick drying marker) and write your message on the condom wrapper. Now is when you want to think about where you want to post it. There are 3 options:
1. Make a bunch with generic messages like: "My Government screwed me!" and alternate front and back.
2. Have a plan and write site specific messages
3. Throw it all in a bag and write them impromptu as you go.

The reason you want to write them on the front or the back is that you have to think about who your audience is, inside or outside of the building, automobile...

Step 3: Post Em' Up!


Now that you have the condom/s ready take it and a suction cup, and while pushing on the wrapper ensuring that the condom is at the top of your message pierce the hook through the wrapper and condom for support.

Here is the part you have been waiting for. Take all your materials and put them in a bag that is easily accessible while your walking, and go out and put them up. The suction cup will stick to any flat smooth surface (glass works the best), and will attain much better suction if you moisten it, so give it a good spit just before you tack it on.

Don't be afraid to let people know how you feel.

Step 4: Disclaimer

That's it!

Now as far as I know there is nothing illegal about tacking up useless condoms on the outside of buildings and cars (maybe littering, but not as harmful as an led throwie), now having said that plan to be blacklisted from any establishment that catches you complaining about their service. Of course if your upset enough to escalate to posting condom messages on their door letting others know of how you got screwed, then maybe you don't care about being blacklisted.

Lastly don't feel limited by the content depicted in this instructable, be creative, have fun, be careful.

Please send me a message if something is amiss in this instructable and comment in any great tales or new techniques that you discover. If you use this instructable post pics to Flickr with a "Creative Discontent" tag.


_pdip