Hi Kimberley!
Thank you for your most interesting email which I think brings together the two seemingly opposing viewpoints expressed so far, by showing them as two aspects representing an inherent tension in the work you do.
I think this is a really valuable contribution in terms of the discussion itself. My response to the original email had been positive since it seemed an interesting way to go beyond traditional images and thinking about crime and in an arts-based way. Then on reading Mary's email, I couldn't help but feel a great degree of affinity with her perspective. I think your input has offered another perspective which perhaps allows this discussion to move beyond EITHER this OR that, into maybe this...AND this AND this. (What comes to mind for me is Laurel Richardson's image of the crystal.)
I also want to thank you for your very vivid and eloquent description of your work. It sounds inspiring and the sort of work which leads, not to despair, but to hope.
Kind regards,
Heather Hill
----- Original Message -----
From: Kimberly Dark
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, September 21, 2008 3:04 AM
Subject: Re: Harm, crime and injustice: Photography competition call for entries
Hi Folks,
What interesting input here! I'm no fan of the fear-mongering images that infuse our daily lives, and at the same time I was heartened by this call for entries. It seemed appropriate to frame crime and injustice more broadly, as including corporate greed, poverty, etc. Do we really see enough thoughtful consideration of these forms of injustice daily? I'm not sure we do.
I agree that we will manifest what we focus on (which I believe is the theory undergirding Mary's original comment -- correct me if I'm wrong). And the paradox is, we also have to tell the truth about what is, in order to be able to shift our focus. Living in denial of the ways in which we participate in violence and pain is an ever-present possibility.
I've been working more with Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed work -- had a chance to spend some time with him this last summer. This paradox is embodied in his work too. I'm part way through teaching an 8 week course on Theatre of the Oppressed and people in the community often ask what it is and comment that it sounds depressing. And yet, I see it as so hopeful! In this system, theatre has many meanings; we're all involved as "spect-actors" in numerous "scripts." We just need to remember that the scripts are changeable. He reminds us that the true power is in the audience's ability to shift it's focus to a different "play" -- not in the hegemony of what's presented on "stage." But here's the paradox: in order to mobilize our attention in different directions, we focus in on the oppressor and protagonist and begin to "re-play" the script in order to remind ourselves that hope and change are possible.
I guess I saw a similar intent in this call for entries. I think this is the challenge in our work blending performance/performativity and social scientists -- to embody/convey the paradox of analysis and inspiration. That's what I'm looking for on stage when I focus on love, humor and change -- at the same time that I clearly describe injustice.
In partnership,
Kimberly Dark
www.kimberlydark.com
619-708-8115
On Nov 20, 2008, at 1:14 AM, Enid Irving wrote:
----- Original Message ----- From: "Enid Irving" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, November 20, 2008 11:11 AM
Subject: Re: Harm, crime and injustice: Photography competition call for entries
I totally agree with Mary - we already have such photos daily - why a
competition for more. Enid
----- Original Message ----- From: "Mary Gergen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, September 19, 2008 10:42 PM
Subject: Re: Harm, crime and injustice: Photography competition call for
entries
HI... It makes me sad in a way to see this competition. What it generates
is more hate, more fear, and more concern that crime is everywhere... be
nice to have another collection called something like the secret life of
caring that shows all the kindness and helpfulness that happens unnoticed
every day.. Mary
On 9/18/08 11:07 AM, "Anna Gilmour" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Dear Colleague,
What is crime? Photography Competition
Help us to challenge common sense thinking
www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/whatiscrime.html
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies is proud to launch a new
photography competition 'What is crime?' which seeks to explore how we
view
harm, crime and injustice. We are writing to ask you to consider
incorporating
this initiative into your classes or to encourage your students to take
part.
You may also be interested in participating yourself!
Launched today, the OWhat is crime?š photography competition seeks to
challenge common sense thinking by seeking innovative submissions of
images
of 'crime' and the 'criminal'. Violent events caused by businesses and the
state; hidden violence against women, children and the elderly; the way in
which poverty injures, hurts and kills; the impact of environmental
pollution
all of these rarely attract the same level of political and public concern
as Oconventionalš crime. So, rather than the usual law and order images of
police, prison and judges, the competition invites entries which stimulate
thinking about harm, injustice and crime around the themes of financial
harm
and inequality; environmental harm and; different forms of violence.
Open to members of the public, students and campaigners, amateur and
professional photographers alike, the competition represents an innovative
way
of intervening in public debates about justice and will seek creative,
moving
or
funny images. This is an opportunity for you and/or your students to
contribute visually to this exploration of harm, crime and injustice. If
you
would
like to promote the competition, like paper or electronic versions of our
flyers,
or have any queries, please email me at this address.
Entry is via our website only and closes on March 1st 2009. More
information
about the competition can be viewed here
http://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/whatiscrimephoto.html or to download a
leaflet, click here
http://www.crimeandjustice.org.uk/opus833/WICleafletSept08.pdf.
As part of our wider 'What is crime?' initiative we are also publishing a
series of
briefing papers and holding a number of events; you may have come across
our publication earlier this year by Professor Steve Tombs and Dr Dave
Whyte
on injuries at work was the first briefing (under the violence strand),
and
we're
also planning a lecture on structural violence and human insecurity to be
given
by Dr David Roberts early next year. We're in the process of commissioning
a
number of other papers on environmental harm and financial harm. More
details
of the project are here http://www.whatiscrime.org.uk.
Please feel free to pass this to any friends or colleagues you feel might
be
interested.
Best regards, Anna
Anna Gilmour
Competition Coordinator
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies
King's College, London
Strand
London WC2R 2LS
Tel: 020 7848 1677
[log in to unmask]
www.crimeandjustice.org.uk
The Centre for Crime and Justice Studies at Kingšs College London is an
independent charity that informs and educates about all aspects of crime
and
criminal justice. We provide information, produce research and carry out
policy
analysis to encourage and facilitate an understanding of the complex
nature of
issues concerning crime. We are a membership organisation working with
practitioners, policy makers, academics and students, the media and
voluntary
sector, offering a programme of events, publications and online resources.
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (ISTD)
Registered Charity No 251588
A company limited by guarantee
Registered in England, No 496821
--
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www.kimberlydark.com
619-708-8115
