About

THE PROJECT

Papergirl is, in essence, a mail-art and delivery systems art project that is participatory, analogue, non-commercial, and impulsive.

Submitted artwork is distributed like a newspaper but not edited or printed like it, the artwork is rolled up into bundles of 5 pieces or more and thrown to random passers-by from bicycles, paperboy style. Art submissions are sent in by mail or handed in personally at a drop off location, and all the work is exhibited in a gallery setting before being sorted, rolled up, and distributed. There are no guidelines as to format, subject matter, or quantity an artist can submit. Anything can be submitted, so long as the art is flexible enough to be rolled up.

Submissions aren’t curated for Papergirl, we use everything that is submitted, so the artist decides what to show and have given away in distribution. The art rolls cannot be sold and are not delivered to subscribers, so folks eager for a roll just have to be in the right place at the right time! There really isn't any time for "choosing" recipients when throwing from a moving bicycle, as distributors often have to react fast and spontaneously , so folks from all walks of life have an equal chance of receiving an art roll.

Everyone can participate by submitting art, telling others about the project, helping with gallery set up and roll preparation, hosting workshops and skill shares, and/or by helping with the bicycle distribution. All are welcome and encouraged to get their hands dirty with Papergirl!

OUR MISSION

Papergirl was founded in Berlin by Aisha Ronniger and has been carried out once a year in the summer since 2006. It began as a response to a tightening of German graffiti laws. Papergirl SF is the San Francisco division of the original Berlin Papergirl Project.

Papergirl SF seeks to bring art to our community in a new, exciting and participatory way; directly and freely by bicycle. We're into the idea of facilitating people being generous with each other, random acts of kindness, and sharing ideas and energy with strangers. We want to promote creativity, culture, and participatory activities among the people that live here and/or beyond. You don’t have to be from San Francisco or the Bay area to submit work or participate in distribution.

San Francisco is a city full of amazing publicly accessible art: murals, galleries, museums, events, etc. Papergirl SF hopes to serve as a direct and more hands-on extension of the rich art culture of this beautiful city. We want to directly engage the people of San Francisco and invite them to be part of a larger and ever-growing DIY artist community that thrives on connections between strangers, communication, word of mouth, small favors, and the “you can do it, we can help” mentality. May the work submitted, and effectively donated, to the Papergirl project enrich the lives of those it comes in contact with. The world needs more art and kindness, won't you join us?

WHO WE ARE (so far!)

The San Francisco division of Papergirl 2011 has been put together by the following:

And our proud partners, Mission Bicycle Company , PUBLIC Bikes, ARCH Drafting Supply, Incline Gallery, Rickshaw Bagworks, and Logos Graphics who loved the idea behind Papergirl SF so much that they each offered us their help and services to make this project happen. We can't thank them enough!

This site was built by Heather Tompkins with the wonderful troubleshooting help of Matt McGlincy and Sjur Sundin.