Wheatpaste Workshop: Saturday 4/14 and Sunday 4/15

Here's some info that I shared at my 52 O Street Open Studios Wheatpasting Workshop:

WHAT’S WHEATPASTE?

Wheatpasting is a method
that uses a paste made from
flour and water to adhere
paper to a flat surface.
It’s totally reversible,
but also durable when
needed.

It is often used for:
political posters
advertising
public notices
public art



WHY SHOULD I LEARN
ABOUT IT?

In general, corporations
and government enjoy
significant access to public
space. We are bombarded
every day with images urging
us to buy things. These images
create our visual landscape
and inform who we are
“supposed to be”.

However, individuals,
for the most part, don’t
have access to this space. . .
until they wheatpaste!
So get out there and adorn
your city. It doesn’t have
to be political.
It doesn’t have to be pretty.


WILL I GET IN
TROUBLE?

The legality of wheatpasting
varies from state to state and
city to city, so there is
no cut and dry rule about
how incognito you need to be.
For example, I have
HEARD/READ that adhering
posters with water-soluble paste
is not illegal in the
District of Columbia but that it
is charged as vandalism
in Arlington, VA. If you are
wheatpasting, you could face
fines or arrest. So, do your
research and use your judgment.

If you are concerned, please
check your local codes concerning
general advertising or “graffiti.”

And don’t wheatpaste on
private property without permission.



RECIPE for WHEAT PASTE:


1. Measure three tablespoons of flour.
2. Add just enough cold water to dissolve the flour and remove lumps
3. Boil one cup of water
4. Mix the flour mixture into the hot water
5. Stir continuously to avoid lumps, about 3 minutes, until it thickens
6. Turn off heat
7. Stir in one tsp of sugar
8. Let mixture cool and Store in a container with a lid (yogurt container?)
9. Store in the fridge a couple days. Use it within a couple days, because it will start to get funky.
10. In place of 3 tablespoons of wheat flour you can use 6 tablespoons of rice flour (gluten free!) or experiment with other starches.


IT'S NOT TOO LATE! IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT HOW TO APPLY THE WHEATPASTE COME DOWN TO 52 O STREET IN WASHINGTON DC TODAY UNTIL 5!

OR LOOK OUT FOR A VIDEO EXPLAINING IT ALL TOMORROW.