I'v been playing guitar since I was 13 - it's a hobby I thrive on, jamming along like an emo with my mates. Life doesn't get better than being a Hendrix wannabe... So it was quite the treat for me and Ctrl.Alt.Shift to be invited to this charity exhibition/auction in Shoreditch, London, set up by ABC (Action For Brazil's Children's Trust) to raise funds for the underprivileged children on the streets of Brazil. The main attraction was 12 customised guitars, each created by marvellous and eccentric artists from here, and Brazil. I'm ashamed to say, the temptation to snatch and run was ridiculous:
Ctrl.Alt.Shift @ A Forca De Gua Exhibition
Upon walking into London's theprintspace, my eyes lit up as I saw an array of spectacular customised guitars; each one graffed-up, funked-up, gleaming with sheer genius graffsmanship. As a guitar player, I felt to snatch and vanish ninja-style, until I remembered - these were up for auction, and all proceeds were going to the poorest children in Brazil. Bugger.
A Força da Rua (Force of the Street) exhibition, which opens to the public this week, had the slickest UK graffiti alongside the very best kept graffing secrets repping from the developing cities of Brazil - all set up and brought together by ABC (Action For Brazil's Children's Trust). The organisation, who support the AA Çianca children-aid project in the Sé region of Sao Paulo, created the event to raise funds and awareness of Brazil’s most vulnerable youngsters - of which there are over 12,000 (in Sao Paulo alone) roaming the streets without a home or family. Lucky for them the limited edition prints, special commissions and especially the 12 exclusive guitars on show (six by Brazilian graffers and six by Brits) had large packs of people hovering around, itching for their chequebooks. Unfortunately I don't own a chequebook and have just enough money in my wallet for a bus ride home...
Read the full article here
4/21/2009
'Another Israel' Exhibition - Ctrl.Alt.Shift
For any sceptics who believe there will never be peace between Israel and Palestine - tell me why so many collaborative groups defy such a notion...? There are constant reminders from Israel/Palestine coalitions that a ground for peace and unity, compromise, neutral respect an end to the conflict can be found. My pity (and anger) is targeted at the powers that be refusing to budge and bring positive change. We should all open our minds to such possibilities - food for thought comes with exhibitions such as the 'Another Israel' showcase I visited for Ctrl.Alt.Shift. Be inspired:
Ctrl.Alt.Shift @ 'Another Israel' Exhibition
It isn’t so much the array of at times disturbing, at other times inspiring photos that will engage and educate at this week’s ‘Another Israel’ exhibition at St.Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in London. It’s the walls of testimonies, statements, campaigns, reports, pledges and pleas by 30 Israeli peace groups who defiantly stand up as true coalitions who want to stop the war crimes, regardless of what side of the green line their volunteers are standing on.
The display is a good starting point for those of you who wish to digest the complex history of Israel and Palestine – those of you yet to have a taste of the trials and traumas since the occupation, the Wall and the siege of Gaza. But don’t get it twisted, as it’s certainly not all about the doom and gloom of war and injustice; on the contrary – these peace organisations promote positive Palestinian and Israeli collaborations to better the state of those on the Gaza strip. Like the mood at a Cowboy Tactics 101 peace forum, this showroom is a public think-tank that gives you revolutionary peace-seekers in this mad world that rumbles in the ruins of Gaza.
There are young pioneers on show such as 17-year-old Shir Shodzik of the Gush Shalom group (which campaigns through the Israeli press against the occupation to form a peaceful regional union between the Israeli and Palestinian people). Shodzik opposes the blockade saying: “There is no need for violence or force to solve this situation” even though her aunt and cousin have been injured by qassam rockets. More can be found about her story and the organisation at www.gush-shalom.org...
Read the full article here
Ctrl.Alt.Shift @ 'Another Israel' Exhibition
It isn’t so much the array of at times disturbing, at other times inspiring photos that will engage and educate at this week’s ‘Another Israel’ exhibition at St.Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in London. It’s the walls of testimonies, statements, campaigns, reports, pledges and pleas by 30 Israeli peace groups who defiantly stand up as true coalitions who want to stop the war crimes, regardless of what side of the green line their volunteers are standing on.
The display is a good starting point for those of you who wish to digest the complex history of Israel and Palestine – those of you yet to have a taste of the trials and traumas since the occupation, the Wall and the siege of Gaza. But don’t get it twisted, as it’s certainly not all about the doom and gloom of war and injustice; on the contrary – these peace organisations promote positive Palestinian and Israeli collaborations to better the state of those on the Gaza strip. Like the mood at a Cowboy Tactics 101 peace forum, this showroom is a public think-tank that gives you revolutionary peace-seekers in this mad world that rumbles in the ruins of Gaza.
There are young pioneers on show such as 17-year-old Shir Shodzik of the Gush Shalom group (which campaigns through the Israeli press against the occupation to form a peaceful regional union between the Israeli and Palestinian people). Shodzik opposes the blockade saying: “There is no need for violence or force to solve this situation” even though her aunt and cousin have been injured by qassam rockets. More can be found about her story and the organisation at www.gush-shalom.org...
Read the full article here
4/19/2009
Visteon Workers Protest Mass Redundancies - Ctrl.Alt.Shift
It's harsh to lose your colleagues, your work buddies, companions throughout years of the 9-5 grind. I know, witnessing the recession first-hand take out foot soldiers at Ctrl.Alt.Shift HQ in the past year. And I doubt things will get easier any time soon. But despite the fact that business is business, and a crisis is a crisis - there's certain things dedicated workers expect when 'getting the chop'; like a fair deal, sufficient notice and a deserved redudancy package. And that's apparently what over 500 (now former) workers at Visteon did NOT get - so the moaners came out to RIGHTLY moan. Here's the review:
Young Blood: Put People First Visteon
The G20 protests may be over, but those aggravated by injustice aren't planning on shutting up and bowing out any time soon - as proven by the wave of worker protests across the nation at car parts firm Visteon. I remember the Put People First march on March 28th, the first of many G20 demonstrations to come - with speakers Mark Thomas and Susan George rallying the masses in Hype Park to chant "Put People First!" as a screen above displayed to the public the hundreds of companies contributing to the millions of redundancies in the UK - in hindsight, Visteon should've been high up on that list.
With more than 560 workers set to be axed, it's little wonder why passionately angry staff are demonstrating at Visteon factories from Belfast to Basildon, Essex, Enfield and North London, as employed and unemployed unite to demand jobs saved and/or better redundancy packages.
However, despite the irony of Visteon's decision to shut down UK operations in the wake of the G20 economy talks, it's not even the financial crisis that seems to be grinding the gears of the factory workers. It's a matter of false promises and as Unite union Irish regional secretary Jimmy Kelly told ITV, the fact that long-standing Visteon employees are getting rewarded with an abrupt kick out the backdoor "at a stroke of an administrator's pen."
Read the full article here
Young Blood: Put People First Visteon
The G20 protests may be over, but those aggravated by injustice aren't planning on shutting up and bowing out any time soon - as proven by the wave of worker protests across the nation at car parts firm Visteon. I remember the Put People First march on March 28th, the first of many G20 demonstrations to come - with speakers Mark Thomas and Susan George rallying the masses in Hype Park to chant "Put People First!" as a screen above displayed to the public the hundreds of companies contributing to the millions of redundancies in the UK - in hindsight, Visteon should've been high up on that list.
With more than 560 workers set to be axed, it's little wonder why passionately angry staff are demonstrating at Visteon factories from Belfast to Basildon, Essex, Enfield and North London, as employed and unemployed unite to demand jobs saved and/or better redundancy packages.
However, despite the irony of Visteon's decision to shut down UK operations in the wake of the G20 economy talks, it's not even the financial crisis that seems to be grinding the gears of the factory workers. It's a matter of false promises and as Unite union Irish regional secretary Jimmy Kelly told ITV, the fact that long-standing Visteon employees are getting rewarded with an abrupt kick out the backdoor "at a stroke of an administrator's pen."
Read the full article here
3/17/2009
BALTIC Activism Art Project - Ctrl.Alt.Shift
Thought-provoking art has been and will always be a catalyst for postive change. That is what believe, and continued to prove at Ctrl.Alt.Shift with this collaborative project with Newcastle's BALTIC:
Ctrl.Alt.Shift @ Baltic
On Friday, Ctrl.Alt.Shift hit the BALTIC to cast an eye over the art created by Graham Hudson, Matthew Stone and 12 students and recent graduates from Newcastle University's LifeWorkArt programme, around conflict.
Having been set the challenge by Ctrl.Alt.Shift and BALTIC, Newcastle University's LifeWorkArt programme have embarked on a five month project working with high-profile artists and emerging talent from the contemporary art scene. Through workshops, seminars and specialist talks they have gained insight into extreme conflict in Colombia and begun a creative journey which has produced a challenging new exhibition at BALTIC, which will run for six weeks.
As well as the Ctrl.Alt.Shift team, ambassador David Shrigley, mentors T-Magic, Benjamin Wachenje, Matthew Stone and 350 art fans were in attendance at the launch. Held in the Riverside Bar area, over-looking the river Tyne, music was supplied by Road to Rimini...
Read the full article here
Ctrl.Alt.Shift @ Baltic
On Friday, Ctrl.Alt.Shift hit the BALTIC to cast an eye over the art created by Graham Hudson, Matthew Stone and 12 students and recent graduates from Newcastle University's LifeWorkArt programme, around conflict.
Having been set the challenge by Ctrl.Alt.Shift and BALTIC, Newcastle University's LifeWorkArt programme have embarked on a five month project working with high-profile artists and emerging talent from the contemporary art scene. Through workshops, seminars and specialist talks they have gained insight into extreme conflict in Colombia and begun a creative journey which has produced a challenging new exhibition at BALTIC, which will run for six weeks.
As well as the Ctrl.Alt.Shift team, ambassador David Shrigley, mentors T-Magic, Benjamin Wachenje, Matthew Stone and 350 art fans were in attendance at the launch. Held in the Riverside Bar area, over-looking the river Tyne, music was supplied by Road to Rimini...
Read the full article here
Newcastle Jesmond Festival Mural - Ctrl.Alt.Shift
Newcastle, Newcastle, oh how I do love Newcastle! I really do love the land of the Geordies. From my bubble of London, I quickly learnt that Ant, Dec and Cheryl Cole are small, very small, parts of this bustling city. I think a drastic transition from the hectic capital I call my home (especially in East London, where police sirens are that familiar sound), to Preston's Central Lancashire Uni, was a bit of a wrong impression of what I could find northbound. 4 days working in around Newcastle for the Jesmond Festival was enough to leave me craving another Quayside session. I'll be back for more! Here's the Jesmond review for Ctrl.Alt.Shift online:
Ctrl.Alt.Shift @ The Jesmond Festival
Ctrl.Alt.Shift hit the ground at this year's Jesmond Community Festival in Newcastle. In the heavily-student populated region, we gathered up the foot soldiers to indicate how young people are ready and willing to play a big part in global development.
On the opening day, Saturday March 14th, Ctrl.Alt.Shift kicked off with a 'Hand in Hand' mural stunt just outside Jesmond Methodist Church. A graffed-up banner flew high like a beacon luring in bypassers to come and plant their painted hands on the mural. It got messy, as students and young people alike (either on their way to the library or pub) stopped to get involved in the Art Attack spectacle.
Project co-ordinator Anita Morais said: "The idea of this project is to raise the profile of young people in the community, so they may follow up and want to be part of the global community. It's about different people working together in a partnership, and the mural is a pledge for young adults to work 'Hand in Hand' alongside their neighbours, globally and locally".
This colourful stunt was just a starting point for future events, a sign to show how young people will continue to carry the torch of justice; and so the mural was appropriately followed on by a Ctrl.Alt.Shift In:Justice workshop on Monday night. Taking place in Jesmond Methodist Church, the event welcomed young people to tackle the issues of HIV stigma, gender power and climate change though drama workshops and discussion...
Read the full article here
3/13/2009
Stop The Rape & War In DRCongo Protests - Ctrl.Alt.Shift
The sooner the war and rape stops in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the sooner the millions involved in the African civil war who have died, been pillaged, ravaged, and lost loved ones, can live a progressive future. It's been devastating for way too long, a situation so uncontrollable and incomprehensible - that those of the DRC nation now living here are protesting, marching and demanding support from our government, and resistance from the Rwandan government. Here's the latest in my report for Ctrl.Alt.Shift:
Ctrl.Alt.Shift @ Fight for DRCongo
There have been a number of protests this week by a Congolese contingent who have joined together to send a strong message to the UK public - they state we are just as responsible for the victims of the war in Africa if we do not stand up and demand change. Let me explain before you turn a blind eye...
On Saturday March 7, the day before International Women's Day, they arrived outside the Rwandan Embassy in London with placards stating "Stop the Rape!" to demand justice for the Congolese women raped and killed in the war - an ongoing conflict which has seen millions of Africans killed since 1996.
A few days later in Oxford, on Wednesday March 11, they planned to 'welcome' Rwandan President Paul Kagame with the clear cutthroat message of "Stop Terrorist Kagame!" Kagame was merely visiting Oxford Union, but wouldn't have been prepared for a group of passionate, uncompromising protestors looking to expose him as an instigator in the genocidal war - as he represents a Rwandan nation that has pillaged and raped Congo whilst occupying the eastern regions of the country over the past couple of years.
The actions of the outspoken group, consisting of faction Mbongwana (meaning 'change') and the Uhuru Movement, were made to call for a World Tribunal for Reparations to Africa and African people to indict all responsible for imperialist crimes against the Congolese people. And according to organiser Papy Makola, the people of the UK have just as much blood on their hands if we remain naïve as to our country's influence, and if we continue to use the companies who exploit the lives of the Congolese people every day, without ever really getting their hands too dirty...
Read the full article here
Ctrl.Alt.Shift @ Fight for DRCongo
There have been a number of protests this week by a Congolese contingent who have joined together to send a strong message to the UK public - they state we are just as responsible for the victims of the war in Africa if we do not stand up and demand change. Let me explain before you turn a blind eye...
On Saturday March 7, the day before International Women's Day, they arrived outside the Rwandan Embassy in London with placards stating "Stop the Rape!" to demand justice for the Congolese women raped and killed in the war - an ongoing conflict which has seen millions of Africans killed since 1996.
A few days later in Oxford, on Wednesday March 11, they planned to 'welcome' Rwandan President Paul Kagame with the clear cutthroat message of "Stop Terrorist Kagame!" Kagame was merely visiting Oxford Union, but wouldn't have been prepared for a group of passionate, uncompromising protestors looking to expose him as an instigator in the genocidal war - as he represents a Rwandan nation that has pillaged and raped Congo whilst occupying the eastern regions of the country over the past couple of years.
The actions of the outspoken group, consisting of faction Mbongwana (meaning 'change') and the Uhuru Movement, were made to call for a World Tribunal for Reparations to Africa and African people to indict all responsible for imperialist crimes against the Congolese people. And according to organiser Papy Makola, the people of the UK have just as much blood on their hands if we remain naïve as to our country's influence, and if we continue to use the companies who exploit the lives of the Congolese people every day, without ever really getting their hands too dirty...
Read the full article here
3/11/2009
How Would You Punish A Sex Trafficker? - Ctrl.Alt.Shift
This survey below was conducted for Ctrl.Alt.Shift, following a Moldovan sex trafficking news story; seeing four girls receive around £600,000 in compensation from the scum that kidnapped, drugged and sold their bodies for sex with strangers (aka equally scum). Consider their position, and would that wod of cash suffice, or do we need to go medieval and get out the torture devices...? Here's the vox pop:
Vox Pops: Justice for Sex Slaves
Recently, four Moldovan sex slaves won more than £600,000 in compensation from their captors in a British legal battle.
The facts: The women were tricked into coming into London after being offered jobs as dancers. They arrived all shiny happy people, but were instantly told by a gang that they had been bought for £20,000 and would have to earn at least £1000 each day through charging customers £50 for a 15-minute session of unprotected sex - refusals and defiance would result in fines and further punishment. The women hustled 24/7. In addition, their traffickers Gavril Dulghieru and his wife Tamara, served the women one miniscule meal a day and dropped them with £300 in rental charge for disgusting rooms.
The result: Mr Justice Treacy awarded each of the sex-slave victims more than £100,000 for their traumatic ordeal. Disgraced Tamara has been banged up five years, whilst her husband will enjoy nine years behind bars for conspiracy to traffic in prostitution and sexual exploitation.
My verdict: You lucky lucky girls...
Of course, this is just in comparison with sex slaves prevalent and suffering in regions such as India, Thailand and South Africa - rarely do they seek nor see justice. In South Africa alone, it has been reported that a large percentage of the 900,000 people smuggled across its borders are used as sex slaves - it comes as no surprise then that the South African government estimate that there are over 50,000 women raped in the country each year. The saddest thing remains that there is currently no anti-sex trafficking law to punish the pimps, and give the women their justice and respect. That's what makes the four Moldovan women lucky.
Ctrl.Alt.Shift took this issue to the streets. We put the law in the hands of the public, testing their leniency on the subject of sex trafficking, and their knowledge of dire conditions in other parts of the world. We asked:
How much compensation would you expect from being a victim of sex slavery?
What punishment would you want put upon your pimps?
Did you know there is currently no law against sex trafficking in South Africa?(How does that make you feel?)
And consider you are the law...how do you stop the problem of sex trafficking?
Parveen, 21:
"Compensation? I wouldn't want compensation, I would want justice - I wouldn't want it dragged through the courts either, the only thing that would make me feel better is if the culprits were either castrated or given a lethal injection. In certain countries it's shocking to think that there are no laws in place, when people are being exploited there should always be some sort of deterrent to stop things like this happening. While I can't think of a solution, I think if the women who are being targeted by sex traffickers were given opportunities, so they didn't need to turn to dodgy people for a better future, then there wouldn't be as much of a problem, along with harsher deterrents for the criminals, who should get their fingers cut off!"
Read the full article and the rest of the comments here
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