CARPA, 2013-18

[OFFICIAL STATEMENT]

The Craft Advanced Research Projects Agency (CARPA) is a central state agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of new craft technologies for use by the artisans of the United States and our allies.

The focus of CARPA is the strategic advancement of craft in order to shape and sustain conditions for stability and progress. Since its founding in 1958, CARPA has worked to enhance our craft security by funding research, technological development, and craft sciences that not only have improved our craft capabilities but have changed the way we live. 

[UNOFFICIAL STATEMENT]

The Craft Advanced Research Projects Agency (CARPA) was a craft defense agency modeled on DARPA and directed by myself, Carole Frances Lung, and Otto von Busch.

In 2013, with the assistance of a Craft Research Fund grant from the Center for Craft, we brought 35 artists out to Joshua Tree, CA, for a three-day military craft encampment. On a site with a homesteader cabin and two shipping containers, we built a barracks, a camp radio station (by KCHUNG LA), a mess hall (by Laura Noguera and Cynthia Su of the artist-run restaurant Thank You for Coming), and a camouflaged drone evasion dome (by CARPA agent Jemima Wyman). Days included morning and evening assemblies, with work sessions and a series of Director’s Challenges in between.

Two white women in military-like garb stand at tall wooden table covered with plastic tumblers of alcoholic drinks.

Director Clugage, Officer’s Club

The website craftresearchagency.com kept the public informed about CARPA’s vital defense work and company picnic schedule. The website carpaleaks.org exposed CARPA’s shadowy activities (CARPA officially repudiates the misinformation spread by Carpaleaks).

Two people sitting on the ground inside of a metal structure, weaving rope.

Marci McDade learns encryption weaving from Rob Mertens in the shade of Jemima Wyman’s Drone Evasion Dome

A white woman sitting on the ground with a metal briefcase of yarn and a woven rug depicting a map of Afghanistan.

Stephanie Syjuco, Afghanicraftistan

Carpaleaks protest sign in Joshua Tree, 2013

Camp radio station by KCHUNG Radio, Los Angeles

Propaganda air drop by Ryan Paulsen

Two men stand in the desert at low light. One is holding a cluster of colorful balloons.
A group of people are crouched under a tent in the desert looking out of binoculars.

Future Force Geo Speculators outpost (Carole Frances Lung, Ellen Rothenberg, Christine Tarkowski)

CARPA 2013 agents: Solomon Bothwell, Steven Frost, Anna Gray, Betsy Greer, Jack Heard, Marina Johnston, Johnnie Jungleguts, Jennifer Leary, Jordan Wayne Long, Marcie McDade, Katie McGowan, Rob Mertens, Ryan Paulsen, Lauren Ross, Ellen Rothenberg, Lauren Ross, Josh Short, Corky Sinks, Stephanie Syjuco, Christine Tarkowski, L Vinebaum, Jon Winet.

CARPA 2018 agents: Steven Frost, Jennifer Moon, Lauren Ross, Jemima Wyman.

Recruitment Office

In 2016, CARPA opened a recruitment office in the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland, OR. The office contained the archive from Camp CARPA 2013, enlistment forms in carbon triplicate, stacks and stacks of reports, recruitment materials (brochures, posters, and a TV commercial), a waiting room, and a dusty fake ficus tree.

A white woman wearing a dark suit stands at a podium. Behind her is a government-style seal that says "Craft Advanced Research Projects."

Director Lung at CARPA press conference

Two white women wearing dark suits stand at a desk. On the wall behind them the words "Craft & Folk Art Museum" are visible.

Directors Lung and Clugage at CARPA press conference

Recruitment posters hang on a wall in a waiting area, with chairs, brochures, and a large fake tree nearby.

CARPA recruitment office