stories from The Edge
STORIES FROM THE EDGE
Oral History of the Edge District
Memphis TN, est. ?when?
Current plan is to collect stories from Edge residents and beyond pertaining to experiences in the Edge. Working on the narrative for 3 parts:
Addressing the Neighborhood Association
Fliers and web-postable solicitations
Voicemail prompt script
Collected stories will be transcribed and sorted, then curated to illuminate the oral history of the Edge district.
I would love Collabortory feedback on these narratives, since the goal is efficacy, and if I’m too verbose I’m concerned folks won’t engage. Should I speak as “we the collabortory” or as myself? Please see sample versions and offer your 2 sense.
1. Hello Members of the Edge Neighborhood Association,
Hello Members of the Edge Neighborhood Association,
Thank you for inviting the Collabortory to investigate and explore this fine neighborhood. I have a personal history with this area as my first artistic stomping ground. I came to Memphis in 2000 and shortly thereafter set up shop at 656 Madison where I lived and worked in a 3500 sq ft warehouse with a blue tic hound and no windows. This space housed my first interactive art installation Antarctica, which included surround soundscape, projections, sculptural elements and motion sensors. The space then became a collaborative space known as Space 2B, where many experimental shows and workshops took place. It is lovely to be stomping here again.
(include narrative “while working on the Sears building for Crosstown….? Why oral history collection, etc? or is that too much about me already?!)
I am collecting the oral history of the Edge and I need your help. I have set up a voicemail box to collect stories from anyone willing to share tales of something they experienced, witnessed, or heard about in the Edge District. Participation implies permission to use the story anonymously. Would you call? Do you know people with stories?
STORIES FROM THE EDGE 901-602-7010
Call now to share your story from the Edge District, Memphis TN
Would you prefer to share your story in an email? collabortorytn@gmail.com
Would you prefer to share your story in person? Let me know!
Thank you for your help with this project, and please let me know if you would like to receive periodic updates on the project…
2. Fliers and Shareable solicitations.
Hmm… Need a good eye-catching graphic for this. Suggestions welcome.
Artist collaborative Collabortory TN is collecting the oral history of the Edge District & WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We seek tales of anything experienced, witnessed, or heard about in the Edge District. Participation implies permission to use the story anonymously.
Have a story to share? Do you know people with stories?
STORIES FROM THE EDGE
CALL 901-602-7010
Call now to share your story from the Edge District, Memphis TN
Thank you for your help!
3. Voicemail Prompt Narrative
“Thank you for calling the Collabortory with you Story from the Edge.
By participating you give permission to use this story anonymously.
Please feel free to leave your name and contact information if you would like to be contacted, or would like to receive updates from this project.
You can also email your story or contact info to collabortorytn@gmail.com (spelled out)
Please be sure to cite to the best of your knowledge the date and time this moment, event or story took place.
And thank you so much for sharing!”
I actually have not set up the voicemail prompt yet since I would like feedback on the above before I do so. Also I need to learn more about the system. I need to test the duration (how long can a message be?) and determine if I should add “Message time is X, please feel free to call back to continue your story.” Etc…
Look forward to hearing from you all, and meeting Thursday.
r*