So Where Do I Begin?

Wanting to further explore the use of art and design to help those in need, raise awareness of important issues and creatively try and contribute to making this a better world, I wanted my last project to be something special.

I was also inspired by a brief I read, for the Creative Conscience Awards, which states

"Creative Conscience is a platform for innovative ideas that encompasses world changing creativity. This is a visionary concept that uses creativity as a catalyst for positive change to benefit ethical, moral and worthwhile causes. 

The Creative Conscience Awards: UK calls upon creative students whose conscience has encouraged them to build a passion for ethical, moral and worthwhile cause. This is a competition that provides fantastic opportunities for individuals to utilize their creative talents to make a positive change for a cause they are passionate about."

While I won't be entering the competition due to time constraints (the deadline is way before our project deadline), it was refreshing to see that there are awards and companies out there promoting designers to make something for things they care about. That's where I see my work heading, having worked with the issue of bullying in my last project, and dementia in a project after this with Johnny, I wanted to base my final piece on something that means something to me.

One important issue that captured my attention in recent years is the Mexican "Train of Death".

If you've never heard of it, it's quite a horrible story, made even worse that so little is being done to help bring the situation to an end, or at least under better control.

The basic story behind it is that broke, homeless and poverty stricken Mexican people with no hope left, seek hope in the only way they feel is left for them. They head to the United states in the search for a better life for themselves and their family, and they do so by hitching a ride on the back of a single freight train, nicknamed "The Beast" which runs through Mexico and over the border into North America.

The problem is that the train runs through frightfully dangerous territory, areas run by Mexican cartel and drug barons, who board these same trains, assaulting, robbing, kidnapping, torturing and all too often murdering these hopeful immigrants, most of whom never get to see the land and opportunities they dreamed of when they chose to take this perilous journey.

They know the risks, and the immense danger they put themselves in by boarding the train. But their lives are so tough and devoid of hope that they have no choice.

It is a plight that touches me deeply, that people in such sheer desperation would subject themselves to such abuse, flying in the face of such danger just for the small hope that something better might await them at the end.

I first became aware of the situation when I saw a documentary called "La Bestia" (The Beast) by Pedro Ultreras, which touched my heart before ultimately breaking it.

Here's the trailer for it...

I've since been unable to get my hands on a copy of the incredible documentary as it seems very hard to find, but thankfully there is plenty more coverage of the actual issue itself, all of which I will look further into as part of my research for this project.

So in terms of this project, I would like to do something based on this issue, something creative, that helps tell the story of it and raise awareness so that others might too be inspired, and who knows, maybe make a tiny difference somewhere along the line?

Not quite sure yet just what I wish to create, but I'd like it to be something relevant to the topic, yet unique and innovative enough to stand out and capture people's attention. Plus, I want it to be on a big scale so I can end my degree with a bang!

So the research and brainstorming begins...