Last Voices Resident Artists

Haiti Earthquake

lastvoicesresidentartists — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:24:43 +0000

“Some of these scenes, you might find distressing” reported the news presenter.

Bodies were laid across the road being used as a “barricade” reported another.

The airport in chaos. Aid unable to reach the most needy. In this case, a whole country.

These tragic scenes of course are coming from Haiti. A country that for many years has been savaged by brutal regimes and lawlessness. The poorest country in the western hemisphere. I hope aid gets to them soon. I’m sure the whole planet is praying for this. It is bad enough that these innocent peoples have lived in quite extraordinary hardship for long periods, only to fall victim, yet again, to a natural catastrophe of this magnitude.

The complexities of dealing with the aftermath of something so tragic as this, one can’t begin to imagine. Yet there are good souls who will do there upmost, risking their own lives, to reach these people. Let’s pray for them also.

LV in Botswana

lastvoicesresidentartists — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:16:41 +0000

Last Voices is donating electronic equipment to the Republic of Botswana in an effort to help them establish the first Last Voices digital hub. The relationship benefits both parties because it connects a fading culture with the rest of the world. This allows people all around the world see our mission in action while allowing Botswana to showcase their culture to anyone who is wants to watch and listen.

Here are some things you may not know about Botswana:

The life expectancy age in Botswana is 30 years old
85% of the country holds indigenous beliefs
Since declaring their independence in 1966, Botswana has one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
HIV/AIDS are a looming threat in Botswana
The entire country of Botswana is slightly smaller than the state of Texas

Something to think about…

Last Voices Around The World

anthonycopping — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:13:45 +0000

Last Voices From Heaven, the 2003 documentary recently aired on National Geographic in 22 countries. It’s always exciting when the cause is spread to an entirely new group of people. In fact, I think that’s why I’m so passionate about this cause.

Everyone can connect to a specific niche under the umbrella of cultural sustainability. This movement can break off into various branches, but they are all growing in the same direction. It’s what makes me feel that this is a global mission, and cannot be confined to any specific area of the world.

I truly believe that we can all see parts of ourselves in many parts of the Last Voices project. I think cultural sustainability is greater than the barriers that would otherwise separate. Through art, music, and film, we can escape distance, language, and other customs as boundaries. Instead, we can celebrate them.

Everyday Art

anthonycopping — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:12:58 +0000

Hello,

The unique thing about art is that it can play an integral role in our every day lives. When a piece of art stands for so much more than it’s physical self, it weaves it’s way in and out of our daily routines.

Art can express specific messages about our lives, because life is the ultimate source of inspiration. It’s the reason everyone can relate to it, and how it’s capable of bringing people together. When you connect with art, it embodies a part of you.

When the process of art meshes with who you are, it is no longer limited to inspiration. It compels you to take actions that are directly related to the emotions invoked by the art. My Last Voices journey is proof of how powerful art can in inciting emotions. My journey has yielded overwhelming emotions that were felt during this experience. I hope that what I have captured can convey those same emotions to you.

Something to think about…

Vanuatu

anthonycopping — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:12:20 +0000

After building a foundation with the people of Botswana, we dug into the nation of Vanuatu, seeking to establish another digital hub. Once you’ve started the journey, it’s important to continue down the road. When trying to unite people through a global movement, it’s important to cultivate relationships with people from many regions. We always have to keep going, because there is always more work to do. Vanuatu is the second step in a long journey of strides and jumps.

Here are a few things you may not know about Vanuatu:

Vanuatu faces the threat of typhoons, cyclones, and volcanic eruptions regularly
70% on Vanuatu’s economy is based on agriculture
The lack of potable water is one of Vanuatu’s largest concerns
About 13% of the country uses the internet
Vanuatu has six radio stations

*World CIA factbook

Something to think about…

Botswana

anthonycopping — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:10:50 +0000

Last Voices has recently donated electronic equipment to the Republic of Botswana in an effort to help them establish the first Last Voices digital hub. The relationship benefits both parties because it connects a fading culture with the rest of the world. This allows people all around the world have direct access to our mission while allowing Botswana to showcase their culture to everyone who is willing to watch and listen.

Here are some things you may not know about Botswana:

The life expectancy age in Botswana is 30 years old
85% of the country holds indigenous beliefs
Since declaring their independence in 1966, Botswana has one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
HIV/AIDS are a looming threat in Botswana
The entire country of Botswana is slightly smaller than the state of Texas

*World CIA factbook

Something to think about…

The Human in Humanities

anthonycopping — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:03:40 +0000

Art isn’t easy. It’s a delicate process that draws on the emotional, physical, and spiritual sides of both the creator and its audience. There is something beautiful about the art’s high demand. Because it requires so much of us, it shares a personal meaning with everyone. It’s level of complexity leaves art open to interpretation.

Its subjectivity allows you to bare your soul by connecting with art, and keep the connection solitary. You can scream from the top of the roof tops and relieve the emotions you are feeling. In a way, being inspired by art can be something you share with everyone or it can be a secret.

Art can start personal journeys that you never anticipated taking. In this way, it’s therapeutic. By connecting on an individual level, we are actually becoming a part of something global without even realising it. For me, it is both a personal experience and something that I am trying to rally people around.

Something to think about…

The Big and The Small

anthonycopping — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:52:19 +0000

Hello,

One unique thing about Last Voice is that it’s a movement that is much larger than any single individual, but it only asks for very little on everyone’s part. In a way, it is both big and small.

It is a global problem that requires action from everyone, but awareness is the first step. Dedication to this cause can range from simply telling a friend about it to making a monetary donation to actually attending major events like Call to Culture in Jordan.

I think about what would happen if everyone took an action, either small or big. How much of a difference would in make to those stuck in remote regions? How much of a difference would it make on us? Would we break barriers that we didn’t even know were there in the first place? If everyone told everyone, where would we stand? These little actions can lead to very big things.

Something to think about…

The Holidays and Culture

anthonycopping — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:13:47 +0000

Hello,

Right now we are in the midst of the “holiday season.” How people celebrate “the holidays” is such a unique expression of culture. It’s important to remember that people are celebrating all year around.

A culture’s celebration of a holiday is reflective of their collective identity and culture. The art of the festival is at the core of many of these traditions. The idea of “Carnival” runs through out all regions of the world. In America, it’s celebrated with Mardi Gras. In Kerala, India it’s called “Raasa.” One of the most famous and established celebrations is “Riječki karneval” in Croatia. Through out nations in North America, Asia, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean, these festivals all share one thing: they genuinely express the culture that they are rooted in.

Another interesting aspect of festivals is their ability to tie past, present, and future together. Most of the celebrations revolve around traditions that have been established for many years. But celebrating is a very present and in the moment action. Furthermore, festivals pass these traditions on to future generations.

Cultural riches are invaluable. Taking a moment to breathe and celebrate them is beautiful.

Something to think about…

Making History Come Alive

anthonycopping — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:06:38 +0000

As a part of the cultural sustainability movement, Last Voices has established non-profit organization the Everything Human Project. The Everything Human Project looks to keep valuable historical artifacts moving rather than hanging on the walls of an open hallway. Museums provide great homes for the preservation of historical pieces, but we want to take the next step. We want to keep these pieces alive. We can reach their maximum potential value of these pieces through application and sharing. Exchange is a key ingredient in the Everything Human Project recipe. It combines the value of a museum, the sharing of a library system, with the excitement of interactivity.

Something to think about….