This is a real ‘web’, just like a spider’s – a place of connections – ideas – information – of dreams!
Our aim is to make it a Web of Hubs for alternative and free cultural spaces and people
The idea is to provide a loose-knit, non-hierarchical, web-based resource network for a wide range of what we are calling ‘Free Cultural Spaces’ (FCS). They wouldn’t necessarily use that term to describe themselves, but we need a simple, non-threatening term!
A fairly radical, but practical year-long demonstration project and photographic exhibition by Walter Lewis, documenting alternative approaches to agriculture and land management. Focussed on England and Wales. He says:
“A radical new approach – or approaches – is required – a case of learning from the past and moving on with new farming and growing systems which are actively regenerative of the land and soil, the environment, community and communities, and ultimately our individual souls.”
Lots of interesting images and ideas including the Woodsmen of Allendale in Northumberland.
The Fellowship for Intentional Community (FIC) is a US-based, nonprofit organisation dedicated to promoting cooperative culture. They promote intentional communities as pioneers in sustainable living, personal and cultural transformation, and peaceful social evolution. “Intentional communities” include ecovillages, cohousing, residential land trusts, income-sharing communes, student co-ops, spiritual communities, and other projects where people live together on the basis of explicit common values.
Fairly mainstream, but colourful, festival site featuring festies from round the globe including a feature about the 10 best alternatives (in their view) to Burning Man. Includes video links.
Festival Eye magazine features news and info about the more alternative-style festies, mostly UK-focused. Worth checking out some of the older issues.
A book published on the web and in print form. Its aim to look at: “How the need for physical contact, anonymous freedom and community gives rise to new models of togetherness and autonomy in festivals, communities, free cultural spaces and tribes. “ Luc Sala with Aja Waalwijk
The website’s intention is: “A COMMUNITY-POWERED LEARNING LIBRARY AND ALTERNATIVE NEWS CENTER - FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO CHANGE THE WORLD.”
Links to thousands of challenging films and clips.
Treehouses with an extra ‘Wow’ factor. This is both a community and a tourist destination in Costa Rica, described as “a sustainable treehouse community”, but is also ‘sold’ on the site as a ‘hotel’ destination.
The 62 acre area started out as a little acorn of an idea: “Erica wondered out loud if friends might be interested in purchasing the property together… and maybe they would like to build a treehouse too… And wouldn’t it be cool if the treehouses were connected with ziplines and bridges? Kind of like the Ewok village in Return of the Jedi…” And there’s now closer to 600 acres.
Link to their website with lots of additional links and videos.
The Findhorn Foundation (with its community and eco-village) is one of the older intentional communities in the UK, located in the north of Scotland. Their website suggests that, “One of the aims of our community is to create an environment that enables each one of us to deepen our connection with all of life, and to open to transformation within ourselves and within the group. The invitation is to let go of limitations, open to love, and be the change you want to see in the world.” They also publish books and hold lots of courses.
Floating Neutrinos are a diverse floating community of water-borne dwellers and adventurers. Not just about scrap-raft building and living AND sailing rafts across the Atlantic Ocean. But, about sustainability and freedom to a home in an over-crowded world. Under Poppa Neutrino, Captain Betsy and others they have also developed what they call ‘triadic’ thinking and methods to self-repair.
They are pretty awesome! And 'random lunacy' is their pledge.
Link here to their official website, which includes videos, plus another video from Poppa about some of their adventures afloat.
Dutch-based site and concept for what they describe as:
"A Flow Town can be seen as a combination between an (eco) village, care farm, inspiration and education place. They are meant to be about 90% self-sufficient. With their own flow-school, own food supply, and a recycling purpose. The purpose is a global network of flow towns (eco villages).”
So, all about making connections. Some of those involved with discussing the term have also described making an international network of places where ‘nomads’ can travel to, stop and move on. Link to their website with videos, pics, the book, ‘Nova Globe’ and info on summer camps and more.