un Projects is based on the unceded sovereign land and waters of the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation; we pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
un Projects

(s)CARING

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Screenshot of email. To: Joel Sherwood Spring. CC: admin@unprojects.com.au. Subject: You're harmful, very urgent. Dear Joel and un Magazine, The word Care comes from “sorrow, anxiety and, grief.” As you know, self pity is really important to artists who make gothic work in Melbourne, for the right to feel sad in the absence of joy—represented by the metaphorical lack of colour, in objects that look desirable yet a little creepy—is of high artistic merit. Thus, | find your editorial proposition to move away from self imposed misery to be extremely violent and harmful to my community. This is something that I take very seriously. Yes, | am crying right now, Joel. And while | find this bodily and emotional reflex incredibly inspiring, you must know that it’s also devastatingly painful. It is also exclusively your fault. You’re my tormentor. I urge you to read my zines, take me for a walk and listen to my podcast, where you can learn how to use the Anne Rice tarot to do better. Joel and un Magazine, let’s be clear… After much deliberation, I have decided the best way for us to move forward is activating Satanic Protocols of (s)Care—Transform!
Please find the steps in (s)CARING attached, the original piece | proposed for this issue—which you found "too lengthy" and "not the only piece in the magazine"—for everyone to read on their own time. This time is dictated by me to take place not later than Monday 20th of May, 3am—sharp. As you must carefully observe, I am gently asking for cemetery candles, an original Marilyn Manson t-shirt from his Dead to the World tour in 1998, and a black kitty with green eyes, for me to bring home as an emotional support animal. We are set to meet in a haunted house, in which at least 3 murders have occurred, where a scribe is going to draft our resolution in high resolution using a black mirror and the latest iPad. I will only accept a powerful shaman of my choosing, trained by Castañeda’s Don Juan. As my incredible text (s)CARING explains on page 136, you will be obliged to check in on me every solstice and listen to my problems, without ever expressing a sense of burden. un Magazine will rename the issue to “Please (s)Care For Me” and invite me to edit the next issue. Full stop. Shall you refuse, | will curse you…with care. So, so much care. I am doing this for every cis-man that has ever felt culturally unsafe making sad art in the inner city. I heard in the grapevine that you believe I''m doing this to centre myself. And that I weaponise cultural diversity to excuse self serving behaviour. I''m hesitant to repeat what follows because it is so delicate. But I also heard you called me “so privileged and honestly fucking spoilt.” This is incredibly hurtful and further exemplifies your vicious campaign against me.
Please find a you-owe-me attached, that I made on Canva, detailing every emotion I felt throughout this process. Some of these include shame, fear, guilt, envy, loneliness, paranoia, inadequacy, helplessness, resentment, failure, jealousy, agony, hurt, aversion, numbness, self-loathing, doubt, indignation, and smugness. | expect you to validate these feelings at length in your reply to this email and ask me follow up questions. Like, “I’m so sorry, tell me how you feel, here’s my phone number, call me, please, I beg you.” | also include a testimonial from my partner that explains how, since undertaking this project, I've been engaging in submissive behaviour. This include showing her my tummy when she comes home, looking away, peeing myself every time I greet someone, as well as whining and licking uncontrollably. | must also add that I've lost interest in my toys. As I've already made clear, this is entirely your fault. With immense generosity. I love you. Sad emoji. Diego Ramirez (he/him) www.diego-ramirez.net

Diego Ramírez is an artist with dreams, a writer with hopes and a facilitator with beliefs. He is represented by MARS Gallery.

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Okay, Necro
roxxy marsden and Nadia Demas
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After (the duty of) Care, Before (the collapse of) Time
Suvani Suri
Filed under Article Diego Ramírez article Diego Ramírez