Here at Urban Hypsteria, we really endorse protest art. A piece of art is a usually “soft” way to convey a message to a large audience and raising awareness. And if only 1 piece of art can do so much, what about 43 of them? With her new project “43 for them /43 para ellos“, the artist Blanka Amezkua touched a very shocking -at least to the Western world- aspect of the Mexican society and politics: civilians being going missing at plain sight…
THE PROJECT
43 pieces have been created in Athens, Greece in public or private spaces, FREE OF CHARGE (thanks to the generosity of Blanka’s friends from California, New York and Greece), to create awareness, to honor, remember, and to demand that we find out, what happened to 43 young male students that went missing in Mexico on September 26, 2014.
THE STORY
Many have said this horrific case reveals the rottenness of the whole Mexican state apparatus. At every rally the words “Fue el estado” or “the state is responsible” is seen and heard.
The “Ayotzinapa” case is the latest in a long line of Mexican massacres where the state is alleged to be responsible or complicit. During the search for the students, dozens of other bodies have been found – with some many now labeling Mexico a giant mass grave.
THE PROGRESS
The last three pieces will be created in Brussels and the last piece during a special happening in Art Base, art space, thanks to the kind invitation of curator/historian Vassiliki Athena Vayenou.
THE IDEA
To quote Blanka: “During a short visit to New York in the fall, I organized a fundraising event for the creation of a mural with immigrant children living in Athens. But upon my return to Greece, it was impossible for me to ignore the injustice that was happening in Mexico, with the disappearance of 43 young male students in the state of Guerrero. Ignited and inspired by a group of Mexican friends in Athens, as well as friends from other countries, that where consistently gathering and organizing to protest and demand their safe return, I decided to change the nature of the initial project.
Therefore, since the first week of January of 2015, I set out to find 43 sensitive people to this cause, with available walls in their homes, place of work, anywhere, in Athens, to create 43 different painting, string and nail pieces to honor the missing students and their families.”
Sadly, it’s been 4 months, since their disappearance on September 26, 2014, and we still don’t know where the students are… BRUSSELIERS, Help out Blanka by offering your space! Contact details below. Share this post to raise awareness.
Tags: art athens blanka brussels Culture family government greece home kidnapped lost mexico new york painting protest students wall work
