Abrasive blasting metal

This is very similar to the machine I was using to grit blast my metal. It shoots out grit at a very high speed, at a very high temperature, so it is very important for it to take place in an enclosed area using high strength rubber gloves for protection.

Here is an example of how grit blasting can be very effective for covering up a broken or worn area. This can be relative to my project in the sense that the life of a homeless person is covered up by the stereotype and perception many people already have of them. 

Making the shell of my book

I went into the workshop last week to create the steel shell i have planned to use for the shell of my book. I was in good hands under the supervision of the tutors in the workshop so I was shown how to use the tools necessary. A lot of the work involved trimming metal and filing edges to ensure there were not sharp edges. The complicated part was deciding what finish I would use for the metal. I was shown various sanding techniques as well as a technique called grit blasting.

Grit blasting was the technique I went with after a long time considering. I chose this technique due to the matte and rough effect it gives to the metal. I felt this was a relative technique to combine with my case study. It is also a technique used for when you want a bad piece of metal to look better so you cover it with grit and it masks any imperfections. After having been told this, I felt it was a perfect compliment to my book.

It came out pretty much as I would have liked it to, but there have been some marks made on it for whatever reason, but with my case study being the homeless and vulnerable, I did not mind the fact that the finish was not perfect. There are some spots on it that look scratched or look like fingermarks but after stepping back and looking at it again, I began to become keen of the imperfections.

This weekend I went to an engravers to talk through what I wanted done and it is currently getting engraved. I was told it will be posted to me when it is finished so I can only wait and hope it has come out as expected.

Front Cover of Book

So the front cover of my book is going to be metallic, as well as the spine and back of the book. I am getting the  text engraved to add a sense of importance to the product. It will be a tough cover for what is just a book but the connotations carry a lot more meaning. The metallic element makes the pages seem encased, thus giving the reader a real sense of revealing stories that are not necessarily meant to be read.

The first page of the book will also have the design of the front cover in black and white, as many books do in the commercial market.

Pagination of Final Book

I am making a B.L.A.D as a final outcome for my project. Here is the breakdown of the pages:

• 8 Profiles. Each profile will use 3 pages.  8 x 3 = 24
• Contents page x 1
• Introduction x 1
• Focus on the Volunteers x 4
• Thankyou page x 1
• Ralph Millward dedication page x 1

And with 10 blank pages between each profile it would make my book page count 102.

The wieght of the blank pages will be 150gsm, with the pages for the profiles being a mix of 110gsm and 150gsm. With this in mind I can work out the thickness of the book and begin the production of my metal book cover.

The Unequal Homeless

Front and back cover to recent book used for my current case study. Its draws on very interesting points relating to homelessness and gender.

The Unequal Homeless: Men on the Streets, Women in their Place

Book written by Joanne Passaro

"The Unequal Homeless explores the persistence, as opposed to the occurrence, of homelessness. With this focus, which is absent in most of the contemporary homelessness literature, the author shows how cultural expressions of beliefs about gender difference help to perpetuate the homelessness of particular groups of people in New York City.

The people who are persistently homeless in New York are, overwhelmingly, black men. The reason, Passaro contends, is that homelessness is not simply an economic predicament, but a cultural and moral location as well. Remaining homeless is a very different process from that of becoming homeless.

Based on field research in New York City, The Unequal Homeless examines the ways that gender, race and family status of homeless persons help determine their chances of survival. The author concludes that unless we abandon social and personal practices that give preferential treatment to homeless women--who are seen as "belonging" at home and hence are housed--homeless men will never escape the streets while homeless women will do so only if they embody traditional ideals of womanhood."

Reference: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1801473.The_Unequal_Homeless

Gender-specific Correlates of Sex Trade among Homeless and Marginally Housed Individuals in San Francisco

By Sheri D. Weiser, Samantha E. Dilworth, Torsten B. Neilands, Jennifer Cohen, David R. Bangsberg and Elise D. Riley

"Objective: Sex exchange is a well-established risk factor for HIV infection. Little is known about how correlates of sex trade differ by biologic sex and whether length of homelessness is associated with sex trade. We conducted a cross-sectional study among a sample of 1,148 homeless and marginally housed individuals in San Francisco to assess correlates of exchanging sex for money or drugs. Key independent variables included length of homelessness; use of crack, heroin or methamphetamine; HIV status; and sexual orientation. Analyses were restricted by biologic sex. In total, 39% of women and 30% of men reported a lifetime history of sex exchange. Methamphetamine use and greater length of homelessness were positively associated with a history of sex trade among women, while heroin use, recent mental health treatment, and homosexual or bisexual orientation were significantly associated with sex trade for men. Crack use was correlated with sex trade for both genders. Correlates of sex trade differ significantly according to biologic sex, and these differences should be considered in the design of effective HIV prevention programs. Our findings highlight the critical need to develop long-term services to improve housing status for homeless women, mental health services for homeless men, and drug treatment services for homeless adults involved in sex work."

Reference: http://www.springerlink.com/content/j834785043m2kg3p/