<aside> đŁ An activist art project focused on the societal and personal impacts of tear gas, promoting understanding and actions toward peace and social justice.
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In recent years, the global majority population has been growing significantly in the UK, due to recent waves of migration and political repressions in their home countries. Many, if not all, of these new migrants suffer from the impacts of tear gas exposure in the face of social injustice and inequality from the MexicoâUnited States border crisis, the Chilean protests to the Black Lives Matter Movement and the democratic social movements in Hong Kong.
Tear gas and its traumatic legacy play a crucial role in the politics of oppression, domination and violence. These stories carried into the UK with these new communities of diaspora groups that lack the attention that they deserve.
The project aims to the links between tear gas as a form of oppression and the social issue of trauma, inviting the audience to consider how society can stand together in the pursuit of freedom regardless of background, race, and nationality. Tear gas plays a crucial role in the politics of oppression, domination and violence. Understanding its traumatic legacy expands our capacities to value human life, which serves as a moral basis for social transformations working toward peace and social justice.
The project received venue and equipment support from the Bloomsbury Festival and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. The research for this project has been supported by Wellcome Collection in connection with the exhibition âIn the Airâ (2022).
Our Production Team includes: Hidden Keileon: Bonnie Chan, Jeffrey Choy, Ghost Chan, John Chan, Angela Wai Nok Hui, Sandra Lam Devising performers: Vinna Law, Isabella Leung Sound engineer: Nicholas Moroz Photographer: Jane Lam Videographer: Michael Mui Art psychotherapist: Lily Hsu British sign language guide: Martin Glover
We were also supported by our communities: Kind floral support from Passion Flower to the event St Pancras Church provided venue support for the post-show talk thisisldm, Superflat, Daviouxx and Shanna Sordahl for music inspiration and support Many anonymous contributors for sharing of stories related to the topic.
Working closely with researchers, archivists, health practitioners, and art therapists, it provides a safe and caring space inviting people to share their stories about tear gas, how tear gas has been used and its impact on their mental and physical health.
This project includes interviews with people with lived experiences, archival sessions and panel discussions with environmental activists at Wellcome Collection, conversations with researchers at Forensic Architecture, public engagement workshops with art psychotherapists and a series of experimental performances.
Our experimental events âParadoxical Gaspsâ transformed the Crypt Gallery into an immersive space where everyone (particularly non-traditional arts audiences) felt welcome. Complimentary tickets of the performance were offered to those from underprivileged groups (e.g. low-income families, disabled communities).
The project created a caring space for traumatic experiences to be heard and provided support for communities who have been impacted by tear gas exposure and addressed the socio-political issues of oppression, domination and violence.
The events reached out to 170 live audience and over 70K streaming & digital audience. We received our first media coverage in Londonist, a review from Everything Theatre as well as numerous positive feedback from the audience members.
<aside> đ âRefreshing and welcome cauldron of ill-disguised sarcasm, genuine artistry, and thinly veiled jabs directed at the higher powers responsible... Demonstrating that this style of provocative themes and immersive techniques can make an impact.â â reviewed by Bethany Chandler on Everything Theatre
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âSuper well thought out - I felt really well looked after. Touches like the mask and earbuds and art therapy.â
âHow young people are connecting together through like-minded political stances and social issues they experience.â
âI most of all left the event feeling positive and like change is actually possible. The event also really reminded me that art is an important tool for change, which I can sometimes lose sight of.â
Photo by Jane Lam