bolo-log
A Planetary Album for New Encounters:
We have all I got more or less precise ideas about a better life. Why should such desires take the form of bolos? There are some obvious reasons for this—mass-states are too big and always repressive, while families are too small to be independent. bolos are approximately 500 people living together, supplying themselves with food, developing their own lifestyle. bolos are in fact very old: tribes, villages, communities, neighborhoods. They can exist in the country or in cities (blocks + agricultural basis). bolos are middlesized units, universal social communities for us or the Third World. They are the only way out of our nightmare of work and misery.
Information on such a vision of a world of villages is available in the pamphlet bolo'bolo, Semiotext(e) Inc., 522 Philosophy Hall, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027 USA. The booklet is also available in German and French. Russian, Spanish, Portugese and Japanese translations are planned for this year.
bolos can only originate by new encounters between people. Such encounters happen all the time, of course—"bolo-log '' is an attempt to multiply them internationally and to focus them on a possible common frame of vision. "bolo-log" is to be a catalog of bolo-projects or just bolo-fantasies. How do you imagine your bolo concretely? How would you like to live with other people? What values or forms of behavior are essential? Have you got any ideas about specific buildings? How would you imagine a bolo in your neighborhood? How would work, production, education be organized?
It's impossible to describe a whole way of life on one or two sheets of paper (for your contribution shouldn't be longer). Perfection isn't required, though. It you can give some ideas, some details, some sketches, it's enough to start a contact and further talks and dreams. Maybe it's dangerous to materialize one's own desires, because thinking is also a destructive act. Wouldn't it be thrilling to find a similar bolo in the bolo-log, imagined by someone from a country far away? bolo-log could initiate new encounters, stir up new inspiration, create connections useful for the making of real bolos. . .
It is up to you how you describe or illustrate your bolo-project. It can be
text, drawings, whatever you want, just in black and white, typewriter if possible.*
I'll print the contributions as I get them, in the order of their arrival. Don't
forget your name and address, so that other bolo-logists can get in touch with
you. If you prefer a pseudonym, it's okay. I'll handle your real name as discreetly
as my own. You'll get a copy of bolo-log as soon as it's printed. It'll be distributed
as widely as possible. Your help is welcome, of course.
—P.M., 1st Jan. 1986
Send your contributions to:
bolo-log
c/o Paranoia City
Anwandstr. 28
CH-8004 Zurich
SWITZERLAND
example 538: Komodo
My bolo should comprise about 500 persons, of all age groups, including children. It is located in a large city (like Zurich or Boston) and consists of one or two blocks. There is a swimming-pool on a former street, covered in winter, there are three good restaurants of different cooking styles. Around the pool and comprising the whole of the first floor: large halls with fireplaces, chairs, sofas, libraries, billiard tables, a cinema, pianos, bars, etc. Visitors can drop in freely. It looks about like this (I'm actually living in one of those blocks!):
The external forms of social life can be manifold (6-8 persons
as households, but also families, couples, triangles, etc.). Communal life should
be flexible. Important ''values'': generosity, curiosity, openness, mobility
of mind and body, anti-hierarchical attitude, acceptance of risk, sincerity,
equal rights...
There is a farm (80 hectares) 20 miles away and an alp (in the Alps), There
are intense personal /cultural links with Italy, Algeria, Spain, New York, Japan
and Samoa (guests, music [jazz, folk music], cuisine, literature). Like the
others I work one month per year on our farm, for two months I'm travelling
and every 5-6 years I'm on a big trip (1 year) visiting related bolos...
Komodo is a relatively quiet place. We're not into religion, try to stand emptiness
and create coziness between us. Rituals are not important, they change on different
occasions (death, initiation, etc.) ...
Language and writing are part of life: English, Arabic, Italian and German are
taught, learned, spoken and written in illuminated manuscripts. We produce clothing,
pottery, preserves...
Much more could be said about Komodo. Those who'd like to talk and dream more
about it, should write to this address:
Tom Smith Mainstreet Everytown, XY99999
or:
Komodo * bolo-log has got address and will send letters.
