Sunrise Project
Everyday, migrants embark on journeys where they risk their life in the hope of saving it, abandoned to their fate. This has worsened with COVID, which monopolized media attention, transforming the plight of these people seemingly unaudible.
Goals:
Shining a spotlight on this often overlooked reality
Raising funds for an association working for the cause
I have envisioned 27 life jackets on which I wanted to express visuals. These jackets are inflated with helium and attached to cables reaching towards the sky, in memory of the unfortunate victims who face this ordeal every day.
The installation would be placed in a public square to make it accessible to people, and in a symbolic location such as Schuman roundabout, to reach those with the power to take action.
The Sunrise project aims to bring the migration debate back into focus, as it has gradually faded from the public consciousness due to the numerous challenges we face during the ongoing crisis. However, migration tragedies continue to occur.
The goal of the project is to bring this issue back to the heart of the media through artistic installations imagined by HYPNOTIBUS, which trace three major shipwrecks that occurred over the past two years, presented in chronological order and on the symbolic dates of their occurrence. These installations will be exhibited in three different municipalities, starting in Anderlecht and concluding in Brussels, at the European Community, a symbolic place of power and important decision-making, particularly regarding the handling of these tragic events.
We also want to provide an opportunity for children from these migratory routes, if they wish, to express themselves by painting on life vests. This would help externalize the weight of their misfortune and allow those who have not experienced it to feel, through these raw expressions, a glimpse of their reality.
We would like to conclude the project with an auction, where the majority of the proceeds will be donated to associations working on this cause.
Additionally, we want to focus the artwork’s purpose on a “call to action” aimed at passing European legislation to protect the Libyan migratory routes. It would be a great achievement if this artwork, beyond being a powerful message and an open letter, had a direct and concrete impact on the situation, with art truly serving to make the world a better place through concrete actions.
It is important to emphasize that despite the geopolitical context of the issue addressed by the artwork, the project does not and should not be affiliated with any political party or agenda.
Try out 1
Wanting to symbolize the ascent of the victims' souls toward the sky, while their fates remain among us to raise awareness among those with the power to change them, the artwork went through several conceptualizations.
In the initial concept, the piece was created using life jackets floating in the air, tethered to the ground by cables.
Final Installation :
Then, after extensive research and technical experimentation, we arrived at the most refined, strong, and feasible form of the project.
It consists of 27 life jackets, representing the 27 people who lost their lives in the shipwreck in the English Channel, suspended by overhead cables, symbolizing the elevation of the victims' souls towards the sky, though their fates still linger among us. The poles supporting the jackets by the cables will also number 27, and will be placed in the positions of the capitals of the 27 EU countries, imagining a large-scale map at Schuman Square.
To maximize the impact of the event, we plan to create two smaller installations prior to the one at Schuman, representing migration routes.
As previously stated, the main installation consists of 27 vests suspended by cables connecting them to 27 poles positioned at the same locations as the capitals of the 27 countries that are part of the European Union, scaled to the Schuman Square. This is illustrated by drawing a map where each pillar represents a capital.
You can observe an example of the location of the pillars below:
Philosophy
The project is the artistic expression of an injustice that deeply resonates with the artist. It is built on a cry of outrage in response to a situation that appears inhumane, one that those in power seem to prefer to ignore or, in some cases, even combat those who endure it rather than confront the issue directly. Indeed, the debate today is no longer whether to help these individuals or not, but whether to push them away by turning a blind eye to their suffering, even treating them as invaders. Through this artwork, the artist aims to restore humanity to the situation, reminding us that these are real people experiencing this, just like you and me, who did not choose this fate, and who could very well be us—evidenced by the Ukrainian refugees—because history has repeatedly shown that fate can be ironic.
The artist's vision, therefore, through this installation, is to ensure that the unfortunate souls who never made it from these journeys did not leave this world in vain, and that their lives serve to raise awareness among those in power who have the ability to save the next individuals embarking on this perilous adventure. These movements will not cease, whether we like it or not; thus, the least we can do is to prevent these journeys from occurring in the shadows under fatal conditions.
This artwork speaks of that sacrifice and the importance of not rendering it futile, as we are all aware that these tragedies happen.
Artistic Sharing:
The idea of giving children—who have experienced these tragedies—the opportunity to express themselves through this artwork stems from the belief that art is a means of giving voice, and that speech is the purest form of expression for children. They are still spontaneous and direct in their expression, and their artistic output provides an accessible and easy way to articulate these ideas and release what is internalized, creating something they can take pride in to change perceptions and alleviate the weight of their experiences. This also allows those external to these events to perceive the raw emotions tied to this non-accidental experience.
Opening
● Shine a spotlight on this often-overlooked reality:
The artwork, being an event in itself, provides material for artistic media, local media, political media, activist media, and more. Supported by testimonies and various media, the impact and credibility of the action will only be amplified. Since the project is in collaboration with NGOs working for this cause, it will be backed by a multitude of voices, lending more credibility and substance to the message, while also fostering trust among the public and the stakeholders.
Exhibition
● Call to Action: Pass the Law for the Protection of the Migration Route in Libya:
A law is currently being negotiated so that the European Union protects the migration route between the European continent and Libya to limit the accidents and tragedies that occur there. If we can move beyond mere support and have a real influence on political decisions, we will have surpassed our expectations, and the impact will be multiplied.
Art Pieces Auction Selling
Live on the Internet
● Fundraising for an Organization Working for the Cause:
The idea is to conclude this initiative with an auction of the artwork to raise funds for one or more partner organizations fighting for the cause. We aim to bring together large companies, organizations, or individuals willing to invest to support the cause. In the fight for visibility, many organizations and companies are eager to acquire an ethical image at any cost, especially when it is publicized. We can leverage this to make it useful in the fight against this crisis, ultimately helping to save lives in the future.