“Message in a bottle” is a collaborative project to commemorate the lives of refugees and migrants that have been lost crossing the Mediterranean Sea (over 20,000 since 2014). The project was commissioned in early 2019 by SEAS – Socially Engaged Art Salon, Brighton, produced by the photographer and community facilitator Jane Lancashire with the consultation of Dr Gil Mualem-Doron, SEAS’s creative producer.
From June 2020 the project will be open for participants from all over the globe that would like to share messages of love and solidarity to those who had to make these dangerous journeys crossing the Mediterranean. To do this, all you need to do is to write a short message in your own words or use a quote from a poem or any literary text. You can either film yourself on your mobile reading your message or you can simply leave a voice message instead – send your completed message to WhatsApp number +44 (0) 7706 873322. About a week after sending the message you will be able to see, download and share online your message in the form of a digital postcard as seen below.
The messages will also be used for a future exhibition of the project – the creation of a large room installation that will be exhibited at SEAS in December 2020 as part of the UN’s migration day. It may also be part of a nationwide tour in the future hopefully. The installation comprises hundreds of recycled plastic bottles reshaped to resemble water drops. A message is written on every drop. Each piece represents a single lost life. This project includes so far the participation of more than 100 people from various community groups in South East England. The project was carried out with the support of Sanctuary on Sea, EuroMerNet, Migrant English Project, The Network of International Woman Coalition, Enthum House, Hummimgbird Young Leaders and Sunday Assembly and more.
For more about the project and to view the Refugee Week exhibition please visit: https://seasbrighton.com/category/exhibitions
To take part in the project presentation and q&a on Zoom please register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/x/108457078040/