Video about Kenyan photography project
From Kenya to kissing and back again…
When we were in Kenya last July, I committed to making a short video about the project and I’m very happy to say that it’s now ready!
It wasn’t easy though. We interviewed a few people in Kenya and when I came back, eager to get working on it, I tried listening to the interviews but somehow, while looking at the photos was easy, hearing these voices that I knew were now so far away was a real struggle.
Anyway, I finally, got the courage to sit down and listen to them late last year and started editing…putting sound to images. I miss the kids so much, it’s still weird to hear their voices but I hope that I’ve done them justice and I hope that you can take something from their stories.
Josephat. Good dude. Always wanting to make photo. HIV+ but one of the most healthy looking of the bunch. (Photo by Felix Ojuang)
The touring Pieces of Innocence exhibit that has been going on since October 2008 has 16 photos in total and so far, that’s pretty much all the public has seen. This video is special because it features 66 photos and interviews with two kids (Lorine and Peter) along with Sister Philomena who managed the orphanage.
It’s 7 minutes 27 seconds long so as far as internet videos go, it’s kind of a behemoth but please do watch. The kids deserve it for real.
A page from Lorine’s photography journal. This guy was totally joksing.
Also, the song the kids are singing at the start and end goes something like “Sisi watoto tuna akisetu” which is Kiswahili for “We, the children, have rights.” The best part about this song was that the kids first sang it to us when we gave them soccer balls. Reacting to some kids who didn’t want to share, others joined together in a loud chorus as if not getting a ball of their own was a human rights violation up there with child trafficking. Oh so adorable and oh so real.
And since we’re so web savvy:
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Internet
U.S. Election
On November 4, 2008, residents of Ottawa, Canada celebrated Barack Obama’s victory in the United States presidential election at the East Africa Restaurant. Here are some photos from that.
Halloween music
Halloween is a week away so to set the mood, I’ve got some music to share. First is a music video from 2005 by an organization called the North American Hallowe’en Prevention Initiative, for a song entitled “Do They Know It’s Halloween?” This song was released by Vice Records as a UNICEF fundraiser and is the result of an idea thought of by dudes in that band The Unicorns. Finally, recruited a lot of famous-ish weirdos including Buck 65, David Cross and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. The result an amazing song that, while citing Bob Geldof as an obvious inspiration, makes this sort of cause accessible to the bar-going set. Hilarious too.
Now, here are two mixes that should give you an excellent song choice for this week leading up to the big day. The first is VHS Halloween Party 2008 mix by Evil Nine. I don’t know too much about this duo from the UK but as the title suggests, this 55-minute mix is loaded with 80s horror flick music. Tonnes of stuff from the Living Dead movies, some John Carpenter and Goblin stuff for good measure and even songs by The Cramps and Eagles of Death Metal. Play this for your kids as they fall asleep. They’ll hate you forever.
The second mix originally came out last year (when More Cowbell jokes were still funny) but still, this rules. This time, it was produced by an Ottawa DJ Chris Rockwell. A lot shorter than the first, Rockwell’s Phantom Sound Halloween Mix 2007 runs just over 25 minutes but it’s a lot denser and beat-oriented. In this one, you’ll find a pretty ecclectic collection including remixes of the Ghostbusters theme and Monster Mash and then some Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper too. Even an Addams Family/New Order mashup!
Don’t fear the reaper. Baby, take my hand.
PS: I added some photos to my website!
PPS: Kitsune Noir released a pretty dope mix called Hellaween mixed by Punchy two days ago. Not so keen on the ODB radio edit but it has pretty good flow overall so be sure to rep it.
Piece of Innocence photos for sale!
Alright! There’s been a lot of talk about my dealings in Kenya but up until now, the 16 photos that are on display at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ottawa until October 31 have never been seen online. That is changing RIGHT NOW. I’m pretty excited about this. Are you?
Each photo is also being auctioned on eBay. If there’s one that interests you, you should click on it. This will lead you to the auction page where you can learn more about the individual photograph and place a bid!
The auctions will run until the end of the exhibit on October 31.
Proceeds from the sale of these photos will go back towards youth projects in Western Kenya which is pretty awesome. This is a unique opportunity for you to play a part in making a difference in the lives of Kenyan children!
Upcoming exhibit of photos captured by Kenyan orphans
If you’ve been reading this since June-ish, you know that I spent five weeks this summer in Kisumu, Kenya. Well, we’re just days away from launching a major exhibition called Pieces of Innocence in the lobby of the Pearson Building (Foreign Affairs headquarters at 125 Sussex Drive in Ottawa). The exhibit will be open to the public from Monday, October 6 to Friday, October 31, 2008.
For more info on the exhibit, you can check out the event page on Facebook.
It would also be super cool if you joined the Tumaini Children’s Project Facebook Group!
If you feel like contributing but know you wont be able to make it to the exhibit in October, I still have some of my own prints for sale on Etsy. The kids’ photos will also be available for sale. More details on this soon…
I also want to say thank you, asante sana (Kiswahili) and ero komano (Luo) to some of our major supporters including MoreTimeMoms, GPC Labworks and Michelle’s Frame Maker and Gallery in North Bay. Michelle was completely stupendous and provided an overwhelming contribution in framing supplies for this exhibit. A lot of other businesses in North Bay supported the project too. Thanks to everyone for their generosity.
That’s it for now, I think. More to come later. Leave a comment if you have any questions!
THIS JUST IN… two preview images of some photos framed and matted.
Walking at the primary school. Christopher Omondi (Age 10). 12”x18”
Boy against a wall. Blaise Omondi (Age 12). 12”x18”
James Nachtwey
Seven-year-old boy survives fall over the Niagara Falls
If your parents raised you on CBC Radio, you’ve probably heard Stuart McLean’s voice once or twice, particularly on his show, The Vinyl Cafe, whose official instrument is the yukelele and whose motto is “we might not be big but we’re small.”
Recently, before starting a new season after a summer break, he replayed some of his favourite stories from 2007/08. I heard this one night last week and was so glad to discover it was available online. You can listen to the entire broadcast (and you should – it’s really awesome) but what caught my attention most was the Roger Woodward Story.
I wont say much about it except for it’s a true story about a seven year old who fell over the Niagara Falls and survived. Stuart McLean, to me, is a sort of radio equivalent of Norman Rockwell and Jimmy Stewart in It’s a Wonderful Life. His stories rely on a lot of details to establish a sense of truth and honesty but within these details is a creative talent that aurally livens everyday life to a point where reality seems magical. Granted, falling over the Niagara Falls has a difficult time being classed in the category of “everyday life”
The story itself is great but it’s what happens after the story is told that really clinches the story. In a way, I’m sceptical of the spontaneity of the whole thing but overall, as a piece of creative radio journalism, it’s pretty brilliant.
Download it here 21.2mb / 18:29
I’ve never personally been to Niagara Falls but as it is one of the most photographed locations on the planet, we all sort of know what it looks like. I enjoy the Bird’s Eye View from Microsoft Maps.
In other waterfall news, the Victoria Falls, straddling Zambia and Zimbabwe seems to be another prime spot to check out. In September and December, you can friggin swim at the edge without falling over.
Returned from Kenya and constructing Ottawa
It has been a week since I landed in Toronto. The five weeks I spent in Kisumu were unforgettable – right down to the last night when a truck filled with M-16 wielding cops lectured me about why I shouldn’t climb their garbage cans. Surprisingly or not, the two Kenyan friends I was with announced afterwards that if I was African, I might have expected to be thrown in jail for such a stunt.
Our last Saturday in Kenya was not met with police intervention. Instead the kids’ had a photography exhibit in the orphanage compound. They really enjoyed themselves and I think it was a good way to mark the end of our project. The Canadian High Commission in Kenya even published an article about it! As always, you can follow us on our blog too…the work isn’t over
Here are two photos from that day… More photos from Kisumu on Flickr.
Now in Canada, I’ll be presenting at a youth conference called Zoom in on the World in Pembroke on Saturday and two others are in Québec City right now at the World Youth Conference doing the same. Exhibitions of the kids’ photos are being lined up for the next few months as well. Busy times.
In other news, I’m freelancing for Capital Xtra some more this month which, to date, has been pretty fun. A few months ago, I was assigned to cover the construction on Bank Street, one of the main commercial streets in Ottawa and an area people are trying hard to get recognized as a gay village. It was one of those things where you spend days covering something and you wonder if it will turn out to be completely boring or at least marginally interesting. I think it turned out OK. Here are a few examples. More on Flickr.
Next week, I’ll be shooting an assignment at Camp Ten Oaks. Should be cool.
À la prochaine! xo.
Kenya update
There’s so much to say but not really sure how to summarize it. I think I’ve said it before but these kids we’re working with are sensational. I’m so excited about the art fair we’re going to have for them on July 26. Please read the project blog we’ve been maintaining here.
Kisumu is very unique and after a day in Nairobi, I feel I can say this with greater conviction. It’s like day and night.
I’ll probably write something about food here too but I’m too caught up with the kids and life here.
Here are a pair of photos from what I’ve been shooting here.
Landed in Kisumu!
Habari? How are you?
I’m in Kisumu Kenya right now teaching photography at an AIDS orphanage. You can see some photos I’m shooting here on my Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/paulgalipeau
The team I’m a part of is pretty great and our photography and art program is off to a good start. You can read more about what we’re doing at www.pigapichakenya.blogspot.com and at www.twitter.com/pigapicha
Back in Canada in August. Merci! xox.
TWEET TWEET!!!
PS: here are some of the kids I’m working with.
Powered by WordPress with Hiperminimalist Theme design by Borja Fernandez.
RSS: Entries and comments feeds.
Valid XHTML and CSS.