Bando del concorso (disponibile anche in italiano e francese in fondo alla pagina)
A.A.A. XXMIGLIA
“WE NEED TO PASS”
Art.1 WE ARE LOOKING FOR :
Illustrators, painters, set designers, photographers, poets, writers, sculptors... professionals or not,
anyone who wants to participate! Art.2 THE STORY :
In June 2015 dozens of migrants piled up at the border between Ventimiglia and Menton, willing to
get to France but they are blocked by french police. The refugees stranded at the border, coming mostly from Africa, have faced a dramatic journey escaping from scenarios of poverty and war and, once rejected, they don't want to go back. They hold up thanks to the help of those who bring them food, water and cloths with which they build improvised shelters from the summer heat. As arrivals don't show signs of slowing down and France refuses to open its doors, the situation is getting critical: the italian police
load in its trucks as many migrants as possible and bring them at Ventimiglia's railway station. Those who get to escape take refuge on the rocks between Ventimiglia and Menton, as it's a difficult area for a potential police intervention.
“We are not going back” is the motto of the peaceful protest and the images showing the migrants on the rocks have spread around the world. Meanwhile, at the railway station, an emergency area has been arranged where meals are provided, dorms are settled and toilets and showers are placed. The number of migrants is increasing so the actual resources are failing to sustain everyone's need and the hygienic conditions are getting critical. During winter sea arrivals usually decrease, but in may 2016 a new and bigger emergency begins: hundreds of refugees travelling to France are stopped at the border, and they can't stay at the train station. So Church of Sant' Antonio spaces are used: inside and in the yard the dorms and the reception point are set. Meals cooked by volunteers are served: 170 refugees becomes 300 and then 800 in july
The situation is difficult to handle between the new arrivals and the public opinion that doesn't always agree with solidarity politics
The refugees who crave to get to France are often victims of the business of the “passeurs”: men without scruples who, in exchange for money, bring them beyond border. Go to France illegaly costs at least 300 €, but it's often a scam.
“Gendarmerie”, while doing surveillance, don't hesitate to use force to send the migrants back to Italy. On this side of the border the police search for refugees at stations, on trains and on buses; those who are caught trying to get to Ventimiglia are taken to various Centers for Asylum Seeker, mostly placed in Center & South Italy. As those shelters are already overflowing, refugees are registered and released immediately; from there they can resume their journey. Today, not without efforts, the shelters located in Ventimiglia are trying to stay afloat, support themselves and they are an extraordinary example of solidarity and integration thanks to donations from privates, drugstores, supermarkets and especially thanks to volunteers dedication. For migrants, as one of their banner says, their need is “to pass”. Art.3 APPEAL:
What happens in Ventimiglia needs to be told with different tools. Art potential as expressive and communicative instrument has to be exploited to inform, to inspire reflection, to push from apathy, to get to everyone. Artists should use their creativity to express their opinion ! Art. 4 COMMUNICATIVE SPACES:
Every material sent to us will be published on the page about the contest. Entries must be submitted in low resolution, (72 dpi / RGB) to the following e-mail: [email protected]
Then, from 18 to 20 august , there will be an exhibition in Vinadio (CN), inside the area where the music festival “Balla coi Cinghiali” will take place. Anyone who wants to participate can send his artwork to:
Question Mark, piazza Cesio 22, 17020 Calice Ligure (SV) Italia. Due to technical reasons about the set up, the deadline for sending the material is august 14. We reserve the right not to publish images that could be offensive or inappropriate. To ease the customs operations in Italy it's better to specify on the envelope: “illustrazioni senza valore commerciale” (“illustrations without any commercial value”). The exhibit wants to become itinerant, in which case you'll be informed. If you have any doubt, or if you like further information, please don't hesitate to contact us! Art. 5 WE DEMAND:
The right to reproduce the images on the page and for the exhibition. All material will be reproduced with the name of the author, or the authors, and with the work's title .
