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Free Cube

12 October 2009

Cube Microplex

Cube Microplex
Photo by J D Conway

Freedom means different things to different people. For Alejandro Fernandez, it's about finding ways of bringing people together to talk, make decisions and build a more sustainable life. He organised Free Cube, a series of film, discussion and performance events on slightly underground green topics; as the name suggests, all absolutely free.

In his work at the University’s Institute of Learning and Research Technology (ILRT), Ale has explored new uses for digital technologies, open source software and Creative Commons-licensed content in a series of collaborative events and workshops sponsored by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. 

It all started with a blog posting I wrote about alternative systems of barter like the Totnes Pound, recalls Ale.

Ale Fernandez
"It all started with a blog posting I wrote about alternative systems of barter like the Totnes Pound," recalls Ale. "It roused lots of interest locally and so, as a new volunteer with Transition Bristol, I organised a meeting of some of the Bristol-based groups running time banks or alternative trade networks. This sparked off a discussion with Kate Rich from Feral Trade, who suggested I organise a series of free events at the Cube Cinema, the local art space where we both volunteer, to explore this theme in greater depth."

For the first event, 'Free Travel', Ale invited Barbara Hadril, who had travelled from Wales to Australia using only low carbon transport, and was launching a book about her experiences. The event also included a talk by Mark Boyle about his attempt to walk to India without money, relying on the kindness of strangers.

Others in the series included 'Green Politics', 'Discover your Ecohome' and 'Free Politics'. Speakers included Ryan Scadlock, an MSc student in the Department of Politics, who contributed to the theme by describing ways of resolving conflicts in times of resource scarcity.

"Bristol's a brilliant place for this sort of thing," says Ale. "There are lots of people interested in creating brightness in a gloomy world."

He has lots of ideas for future events that explore new ways of living, both high- and low-tech. "My dream is to build a gigantic oven for a cooking performance and to invite Vinay Gupta to make a hexayurt in Stokes Croft from urban waste!”

 

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