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Directing Change

Sock Monkeys Johnny & Mary

Tags: Monthly Prompt
Film Description:

Art has always been my favorite form of self expression. I love to create things. As a child I had a sock monkey that I would take with me everywhere. His name was Johnny and that is what inspired this art project. I wanted to create one using my own socks. May sound a bit gross using used socks for art but art can be anything. Gross or not! Who cares! I made two sock monkeys named after one of my favorite songs, Johnny and Mary by Black Marble. This project was based around nostalgia, and my tendency to stay stuck in the past. Nostalgia is my favorite feeling. I love to reminisce. So much so I often stay stuck in the past and hold on tight to things that should be let go. This isn't always harmful but I find myself having a hard time being present. I remember when I lost my sock monkey as a child I cried about it for days and days. I would not accept a new one at all. I wanted my Johnny. That's a normal thing to do as a kid but not as an almost 18 year old. I still believe this way. Yikes I know. After I completed making a new Johnny I thought he seemed lonely so I decided to give him a partner. I loved them so much but I decided to give them away as a way of showing myself i'm capable of doing so. And I did although it was hard. Letting go of things is a necessary part of life and embracing it. I didn't wanna let go of Johnny as a kid which is very reminiscent of my attachment to the past. It felt good to see something I was so proud of go to someone I love. I like to hog my art. But Im no longer going to hog onto things. Im going to embrace this very moment and let go.
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Directing Change is part of statewide efforts to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and to promote the mental health and wellness of students. These initiatives are funded by counties through the Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63) and administered by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), an organization of county governments working to improve mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities.
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