projekt desap

SURFACING: A Photo Project on the Lives of the Families of Desaparecidos

A photograph is regarded as a powerful tool for communicating ideas in a way that a written or oral account cannot. A photograph is not hindered by language, nor does it expect its viewers to be educated or literate. The language that a photograph speaks can be understood by anybody. It is with the acknowledgment of this power that we deemed it appropriate to use photographs as a tool for human rights advocacy.

We intend to contribute to the continuing effort of sustaining and heightening public awareness and consciousness on the issue of enforced disappearances. By mounting exhibits and showing photo projections, we also intend to give a human face to the stories and struggles of the families of the disappeared (desaparecidos). We strongly believe that we can reach out to more people by telling their stories through images.

SURFACING, the photographers' initiative is headed by a small working group of student photographers with advice from professional photojournalists and in coordination with the Free Jonas Burgos Movement (FJBM). FJBM is a loose network of individuals seeking for the surfacing and release of Jonas Burgos, who was abducted last April, by suspected military operatives. It also speaks against human rights abuses, in particular, of other enforced disappearances of activists in the country.

This initiative is part of a growing Artists Response against the human rights abuses of the Arroyo administration. Parallel efforts are currently being undertaken by independent and mainstream filmmakers, poets, artists and musicians. All these initiatives will culminate in a Human Rights Festival on Human Rights Day, December 10.

PROJEKT DESAP can be seen at the following venues:

• The video wall of Kontra Agos: A Resistance Films Festival which runs from December 5 to 9 at Robinsons Galleria IndieSine.
• Larawanology on December 9, 3 - 7 p.m at MRT North Avenue Station.
• Human Rights Festival, December 10 at Plaza Miranda, Quiapo
  

Visit the projekt desap blog at http://www.projektdesap.blogspot.com
Screenings for Kontra Agos listed here: http://www.kontra-agos.blogspot.com