People Power

10th May 2008 | Category: Charity, Exhibition, Life

In A New World Youth Arts Project from “Medecins Sans Frontieres”

“MSF” in English stands for “Doctors Without Borders” It’s a non-profit, independent international medical humanitarian organisation founded by a group of French doctors in 1971. They deliver emergency aid to people affected by armed conflicts, epidemica, natural or man-made disasters, or exclusion from health care.

They are running an art project, “People power in a new world”, which allows 5,000 primary and secondary school students to create and exhibit their artworks in a public space. The participants decorated YAF tailor-made figures and at the same time learn more about Medecins Sans Frontieres. This exhibition is now running in Hong Kong. It’s amazing to see so many colourful tailor-made figures altogether. I was totally attracted by the powerful colour and the images. Many figures are in national costumes. They are from students of different countries. Some of them are against the wars carried with images of “No gun”. Some represent love and good health with no diseases.

They give away a plain tailor-made figure for every donation. I got one because I made my donation. The following is the idea of the figure creative direction. I love the meaning of it.

Looking at the map and you will find numerous lines dividing continents and nations. These boundaries involve constitution, religion and value according to human decision. Considering when you walk into the countries, you can never find the boundaries exist. No one can prevent the clouds from flowing from one place to another; and no one can stop a pollen from disseminating from one flower to another. Broaden our vision and we will find out that we all live in the same world.

Regardless of the location, MSF shares the vision to deliver medical aid to people as long as they are affected by armed conflicts, epidemics and natural or man-made disasters. MSF believes that all human beings deserve respect and dignity and should be treated as such. Everyone has the right to obtain appropriate medical treatment. MSF’s action breaks and passes through all invisible boundaries.