Collective Art project by Sandra Collée
Protesters are liable to fines for expressing opinions. Around the world citizens try to reclaim rights to public space using alternatives. Shoes function as placeholders, enabling images of absent bodies to communicate their views. Using the web and an Esperanto flag as symbol for Universal Communication, as in her other works, collective memory and rights to Freedom of Expression are examined. You are asked to participate in this international artwork. By donating your shoes you are taking part in an art project that will progress through proxy participants’ shoes.
Why proxy? Not only do we support the idea of Freedom of Speech – and of Expression, we support protesters in aspects that create new modes of presenting opinions in their demonstrations, as in proxy protests.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1949), Article 19 states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; including any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used.” It also allows governments to restrict speech with various limitations. Although in the UK and many other countries we are able to express opinions relatively freely without being censored, we live in an era of increasing surveillance, fear and adaptation to measures preventing terrorist attacks. Some governments assert the right to restrict free speech to protect the public. In some cases this assertion is used to censor otherwise free communication, thereby rights to freedom of speech and of expression are denied.
We recognize that after several attacks and disasters communities come together to mourn, and show solidarity with mutual compassion. In this picture we belong to this particular moment and are strengthened by the community sharing the same ideas.
In this Art Project we do not need such disasters to happen, but want to create a virtual community with a similar positive aim. Our Shoes show our support and declare tolerance for Free Universal Communication and Expression. We show that we own this right and support others who have to fight for theirs. We show commitment to Universal Communication in which there are no borders imposed by language, nationalities or created by fear of terror. Beyond that we support new manifestations of protest by proxy in which new models are created to represent opinions.
Tweet a photo of your shoes with #shoeyouright
Please read further information about participating in this work in: How to send Shoes.