[ see the updated info on this project at www.metaceptive.net/chamada ]
Connecting with environmental activism and climate justice, to be created by artist Kooj Chuhan, ‘Chamada From Chico Mendes’ will be driven by an open call for contributions of video, images, poetry, sounds, and anything that could work with the theme.
To view the OPEN CALL – please click HERE . DEADLINE EXTENDED: Please contact us by October 31st 2014 to express your interest.
The artist Kooj Chuhan (UK / India) is creating an interactive digital carnival installation connecting Brazilian environmentalist Chico Mendes with environmental justice issues across the world. It will be made from audio and visual material from many people and it will use interactive objects and projections that visitors can actually ‘play’ like percussion.
The digital art exhibition will take place February 28th – March 21st 2015 at a new Carnival Arts Centre in Manchester (UK), run by Global Grooves. We then intend to tour this installation to different galleries, exhibition venues and also public places including at carnival events.
What is the installation about?
The exhibition’s starting point is the powerful story of Chico Mendes, who was a Brazilian rubber tapper, trade union leader and environmentalist committed to protecting the Amazon’s ecosystem. He had opposition from industrialists and corrupt government officials, was jailed, fined and threatened, and just over 25 years ago he was eventually murdered but has now become a national hero in Brazil.
There is so much around us to do with our environment, how we consume things, how people try and change things, and how big businesses get in the way. Chico’s story is universal, so the installation wants to show material from different people about other ways that these kinds of things happen in different parts of the world. We are especially interested in indigenous rights and issues for poorer communities. The exhibition will be called “Chamada From Chico Mendes” (“Chamada” means “a call to all” in Portuguese).
This is a video art project that links carnival vibes with environmental campaigns, driven by people and groups from different places. Read more about Chico Mendes: www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/20/brazil-salutes-chico-mendes-25-years-after-murder .
There will be posts about this work on the blog as the project develops, and there is an Open Call to any Film-makers or Video Artists, or anyone with images or footage to contribute, at www.metaceptive.net/chamada-open-call . The way to contact us about the project if you are interested to get involved is via the form at www.metaceptive.net/chamada-contact .
There is also a special invitation to members of the Future Leaders carnival arts training programme by Global Grooves, who can use the same contact form above.
A project by Kooj Chuhan & Metaceptive in partnership with Global Grooves, with support from Arts Council of England and Youth Music.
