There once was a rebellion

Two local artists are striving to inspire and motivate others by providing tools for social change in the Richmond area.

Bizhan Khodabandeh and Kenny Yates are the creative minds behind the social movements, “There Once Was a Rebellion” and “I Dream of a Richmond .”

Through T.O.W.A.R., a movement encouraging social activism, Khodabandeh and Yates seek to empower people vocally by providing them with information about guerrilla marketing techniques.

The term “guerrilla marketing” was coined by author Jay Conrad Levinson in his book of the same title. Levinson defines guerrilla marketing on his Web site as “achieving conventional goals, such as profits and joy, with unconventional methods, such as investing energy instead of money.”

Yates and Khodabandeh said guerrilla marketing techniques can be anything from putting leaflets into books that one might not agree with, or even adding counter points to the margins.

“A lot of research has been done about guerrilla marketing methods that are encouraged for small businesses,” Khodabandeh said.

However, T.O.W.A.R. seeks to give individuals the tools to market their own ideas and beliefs so they don’t feel like they are without a voice.

“I Dream of Richmond .” a campaign created by Khodabandeh, gives the opportunity for fellow Richmonders to communicate their hopes and ideas for the community.

“In a sense, economics really censors people,” Khodabandeh said. “The ‘I Dream of Richmond …’ campaign creates a forum in which everyone has an equal opportunity to be heard.”

Khodabandeh said the campaign has lost some momentum since its conception, leaving a strong need for photographers, participants and other volunteers.

Gallery5, a community-oriented art space in Jackson Ward, is where Khodabandeh and Yates hope community members will join forces.

“Through interactive arts, unconventional exhibitions or educational outreach programs, we encourage patrons of all demographics to engage in this creative energy and use it to strengthen the community that surrounds us,” stated Amanda Robinson Khodabandeh, founding executive director of Gallery5, on the Web site.

Along with the “I Dream” project and the efforts being made by T.O.W.A.R., Gallery5 will be hosting a socially conscious exhibit called “Repressed IV: May Day.” The exhibit opens May 1, coinciding with International Worker’s Day, which remembers those who have struggled with unjust working environments.

“Right now, we’re accepting submissions for May Day,” Yates said. “We’re looking for anyone who is interested in getting involved early to help us throw around some ideas.”

In addition to these projects, Khodabandeh and Yates developed a library at Gallery5 that is open to the community. The library, Lucent Phoenix, houses books on social issues, art, urban development and non-profits.

“Gallery5 has been going for three years and (the) Art Walk has thrived around (Gallery5) as well as other galleries, but basically it’s just the one event once a month,” Yates said. “We thought it would be good for the galleries to think more about what they had to offer the community.”

Khodabandeh and Yates think a large volunteer base will help spread their message more successfully.

“The more people that are mobilized, the more successful the message will be,” Yates said.

For more information visit http://gallery5arts.org and http://www.thereoncewasarebellion.org