Dialogue among civilisations

Art for Humanity,
28 April 2008, South Africa

'Dialogue among Civilisations' forms the basis for a new initiative by Art for Humanity.  It involves collaboration between artists and poets from Africa and those countries who participated in the 2006 Soccer World Cup. The participants will be invited to create work on the theme of identity, land, object and belief.   
 
The aim is to inspire the viewer with ‘moral ownership’ -- through engaging with the creative works, for the public to internalise the values espoused by the art and poetry. These values include creativity, freedom of expression, human rights, excellence, dignity, pride, inspiration, reflection, cultural heritage as well as respect for individual rights and independence.

The ultimate objective is to elicit and challenge the South African public’s views on xenophobia, racism, refugees and foreign visitors in and to South Africa.  These views are presently couched in an endemic magnitude of racism, xenophobia and victimisation of those individuals and families seeking refugee status in South Africa or as visitors and amongst South Africans themselves.

The art and poetry resulting from the project will be exhibited in public spaces throughout South Africa in the form of billboards, banners, exhibitions and posters. A publication will document the art and poetry and contributions from internationally recognised human rights personalities and specialists in the field of sport, xenophobia and refugees.

For further information, click on the external link below or contact Jan Jordaan at [email protected].

http://www.afh.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=278&Itemid=116