An alliance of human rights groups and community activists, including Index on Censorship and English PEN, are joining forces to mark the tenth anniversary on Thursday of the executions of the Nigerian writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and his eight colleagues. (04-NOV-05)
The execution was an attempt to silence their campaign against the devastation of the Niger Delta by the global oil industry. Ten years on a wide coalition of organisations and individuals has gathered to ensure that their courageous struggle will never be forgotten.
Remember Saro-Wiwa is launching a unique public art initiative ? The Living Memorial ? dedicated to Ken, his colleagues, and the issues that they fought and died for. Organisers say it will be Britain?s first ever mobile memorial, moving from site to site over two to three years, while at the same time planning for a permanent home.
A shortlist of five proposals selected by a panel will be exhibited in the run-up to the anniversary on 10 November 2005. Alongside the Living Memorial will be a two-year interactive programme, animating the entire process through talks, workshops, publications, and the website. As the Memorial moves from site to site, the program will move with it.
The shortlist is as follows:
Sculptor Sokari Douglas Camp proposes a transformed Nigerian bus, emblazoned with the words of Ken Saro-Wiwa
Multimedia artist Siraj Izhar proposes an LED light portrait of Saro-Wiwa, electrified by cycle-power
Emmanuel Jegede?s sculpture is a rotating giant hand holding an adorned bronze pen, supported by eight hands seeping water
Printmaker and activist Emily Johns gives us a people?s printing press which enables a DIY dissemination of Saro-Wiwa?s life?s work through printing posters
Architects/artists collaboration Frances Newman, Jeff Jackson, Knott Architects literally transplant the flora of the Niger Delta to the petrol forecourts that are destroying it.
The final round will be judged on 9 November and the winner announced the next day.
The run-up to the anniversary and the start of the two year programme of activities was launched on 21 October with an event at the Museum of London. In the days running up to the anniversary itself, events will include performances by Gog & Magog, a chance to meet the shortlisted artists and debates hosted by English PEN, the Amnesty Human Rights Action Centre, Brixton Jamm and the London South Bank Centre.
? Remember Saro-Wiwa is a coalition of organisations and individuals initiated and co-ordinated by PLATFORM, including: African Writers Abroad, Amnesty International, Christian Aid, Diversity Art Forum, English PEN, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace, Human Rights Watch, Index on Censorship, International PEN, Mayor of London, Minorities of Europe, Anita & Gordon Roddick, South Bank Centre and Spinwatch. Remember Saro-Wiwa is, supported by the Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation
