Archive for May, 2009
Every 12 Hours
I just came across Fonds Solidarité Sida Afrique’s (AIDS Africa Solidarity Fund) innovative outdoor campaign in Paris. “Clocks” is a running installation composed of 963 clock hands used to convey a sense of urgency. Each clock tells a different time, and at a set time, twice a day, the hands of these mechanisms come together and align to form a phrase: “Every 12 hours in Africa, over 2,000 people die from AIDS because they have no access to care. Every minute counts. www.solidarite-sida.org”
This unique piece was launched on April 30, 2009, in a special preview at the Pathé Quai d’Ivry. Watch the following video to see the clocks at work:
bright orange smear
That moment was unexpected. I didn’t think I had it in me. I didn’t think I’d have the opportunity to dash. But I DID! And it was one of the BEST feelings ever. Time froze for those 5 seconds as I found myself dashing across the rocky, branch-filled terrain towards the flag. All around I could hear the crackles of gunshots and muffled footsteps, but I was focused on one thing. It was so close, yet so far. The risk was high but my body would be my armor. In those few seconds, I knew all I had to do was get there and lift the flag. That was the objective of the game, simple enough.
As my hand latched onto the flags base, my heart pumped fast. I could hear each beat as an echo in my ears. Each beat reminded me of the time passing and the impending bursts if I stayed too long. I watched myself lift the flag with clumsy fingers. It refused to stay up the first time. My hand persisted. It clung to the shiny fabric and brought it up.
As the flag rested on the well, time finally caught up with me. I hardly had the time to hide before tens of paintball bullets burst from the bushes and wooden barricades. I couldn’t see where they were coming from. Exposed. I had to find a shelter.
But I was outnumbered and the stinging bullets caught up with me. I screeched in pain and raised my gun to the sky when I saw a bright orange smear slowly trickling down my camo suit. This round was done for me. Peering over my shoulder one last time, I glanced at the flag resting on the well with pride. I DID IT! I DID IT! The rest would be up to my team.
A small triumph, but a larger reminder of the things we can surprise ourselves doing.
What Goes Around Comes Around
Big Ant International, a small design studio based out of NYC, created a powerful campaign for the Global Coalition as a call to end the war in Iraq. Grenades, rifles, missiles and tank guns come round the pole to catch up with the aggressor in each poster.
How very true. Let’s hope someone realizes that.
Article & image credits: The Inspiration Room
For more information, go to: http://theinspirationroom.com/daily/2009/what-goes-around-comes-around/
Entwining Words
Entwining words
Knotted in emotion
Fluster the very part of me
And I feel myself begin to drown
I can’t take it back
It’s far from my grasp.
It’s yours now
to interpret
to digest
to swallow
or spit out.
I can’t take it back
But you can take me as I am
And try to understand.
Pick the parts that are important
Discard the rest.
