Moses set to free the captives again in Margate film
-30/09/06
Most people think of Mos
Moses set to free the captives again in Margate film
-30/09/06
Most people think of Moses ñ the guy who organized a brick workersí strike, led a slave rebellion against Pharaoh, liberated a nation, and collected the Ten Commandments ñ as a strictly biblical figure.
But later today he will arrive in the English seaside resort of Margate, in a dramatic re-staging of the Exodus story from the Hebrew Scriptures (what Christians call the Old Testament).
An 82 feet (25 metres) human figure made out of recycled materials and designed by ëAngel of the Northí creator Antony Gormley will be a key element of the dramatic re-enactment.
Called ëWasteí, the creation is intended to be a reflection on the experience of refugees and migrants in an unjust world.
Margate has been a predominantly white area, but it has seen a flux of incomers from different parts of the globe ñ and the idea behind the art and drama project is to help build positive relationships.
It is also hoped that the spectacle will give a much needed boost to Margateís profile and culture. The town is regarded by many as fading in its seaside glory.
The famous sculptor and artistís framework will be set alight on Saturday (30 September 2006) at Dreamland funfair, as part of a film depicting the famous Moses story.
Turner Prize winner Mr Gormley enlisted the help of local residents to create the work. Teams spent two months collecting materials (including boxes and various ëfound objectsí) before climbing onto the figure to pack them in.
Abseilers and pulley systems were used during the creation of the frame of the figure, which towers over the town and has caused much comment.
The entire Margate funfair has now been transformed into an Old Testament set for the film, which is simply called ëExodusí.
One local resident said: ìThis project really has changed people and brought them together. Some of us have got a much better idea of how tough life is for migrants, and how theyíre people just like us. Itís a minor miracle.î
[Also on Ekklesia: Unions and churches combine to defend Polish migrants 26/09/06; Migration is a matter of justice – Jonathan Bartley challenges our love affair with immigration controls; Are Immigration controls moral? – Vaughan Jones questions wheter they are; Global churches focus on peace theology and migration; Bishop urges action from government over care for migrant workers; European and US churches offer fresh support to immigrants; Cardinal suggests UK amnesty for illegal immigrants; New international initiative on migrant’s rights; Methodist church and trade unions team up against exploitation; Global migration needs pluralism not religious sectarianism; Cardinal deplores ëextreme and shameful povertyí in Britain; French resistance to unjust asylum laws; Churches express solidarity with migrants and asylum seekers Churches in the US pledge solidarity with migrants; Churches express solidarity with migrants and asylum seekers; Church group expresses concern over global recruitment of migrant workers; Methodists add warning over election treatment of asylum issue; Howardís ‘false’ anti-immigrant claims defy UN and churches; Photo row highlights discrepancy between churches and politicians; Catholic bishops in US say they will break immigration law; Churches call for asylum justice as UK loses on Zimbabwe asylum case; Churches told how to offer protection to asylum seekers]
Moses set to free the captives again in Margate film
-30/09/06
Most people think of Moses ñ the guy who organized a brick workersí strike, led a slave rebellion against Pharaoh, liberated a nation, and collected the Ten Commandments ñ as a strictly biblical figure.
But later today he will arrive in the English seaside resort of Margate, in a dramatic re-staging of the Exodus story from the Hebrew Scriptures (what Christians call the Old Testament).
An 82 feet (25 metres) human figure made out of recycled materials and designed by ëAngel of the Northí creator Antony Gormley will be a key element of the dramatic re-enactment.
Called ëWasteí, the creation is intended to be a reflection on the experience of refugees and migrants in an unjust world.
Margate has been a predominantly white area, but it has seen a flux of incomers from different parts of the globe ñ and the idea behind the art and drama project is to help build positive relationships.
It is also hoped that the spectacle will give a much needed boost to Margateís profile and culture. The town is regarded by many as fading in its seaside glory.
The famous sculptor and artistís framework will be set alight on Saturday (30 September 2006) at Dreamland funfair, as part of a film depicting the famous Moses story.
Turner Prize winner Mr Gormley enlisted the help of local residents to create the work. Teams spent two months collecting materials (including boxes and various ëfound objectsí) before climbing onto the figure to pack them in.
Abseilers and pulley systems were used during the creation of the frame of the figure, which towers over the town and has caused much comment.
The entire Margate funfair has now been transformed into an Old Testament set for the film, which is simply called ëExodusí.
One local resident said: ìThis project really has changed people and brought them together. Some of us have got a much better idea of how tough life is for migrants, and how theyíre people just like us. Itís a minor miracle.î
[Also on Ekklesia: Unions and churches combine to defend Polish migrants 26/09/06; Migration is a matter of justice – Jonathan Bartley challenges our love affair with immigration controls; Are Immigration controls moral? – Vaughan Jones questions wheter they are; Global churches focus on peace theology and migration; Bishop urges action from government over care for migrant workers; European and US churches offer fresh support to immigrants; Cardinal suggests UK amnesty for illegal immigrants; New international initiative on migrant’s rights; Methodist church and trade unions team up against exploitation; Global migration needs pluralism not religious sectarianism; Cardinal deplores ëextreme and shameful povertyí in Britain; French resistance to unjust asylum laws; Churches express solidarity with migrants and asylum seekers Churches in the US pledge solidarity with migrants; Churches express solidarity with migrants and asylum seekers; Church group expresses concern over global recruitment of migrant workers; Methodists add warning over election treatment of asylum issue; Howardís ‘false’ anti-immigrant claims defy UN and churches; Photo row highlights discrepancy between churches and politicians; Catholic bishops in US say they will break immigration law; Churches call for asylum justice as UK loses on Zimbabwe asylum case; Churches told how to offer protection to asylum seekers]