First, I wrote this on paper.

R.O.U.T.E. is an acronym. The words represented by each letter make up the sections of the publication.

Rhythm, Observation, Understanding, Transformation, & Expression. I imagine each word as a portal, or a journey for artist and witness: an umbrella of perception and its mirror image: the planter for an emergent garden.

The words and the symbol came first, then the idea for a publication. My early goals were to create an object; nothing to rival the internet, but tactiley pleasing enough to provide an alternative space of engagement for art and community.

To actualize this I explored grants, crowdfunding, Zoom meetings, oh yes, and this website. all of these have become generative tools and networking spaces... but also computer heavy activities. Is this irony? I think it is. Isn't it ironic? Yeah, i really do think...

I wrote this first on paper with pencil. These words were woven with early morning birdsong. The pages will be lovely to find again soon.

In the meantime, it's the hum of engines.

~mirra