Humanos Derechos (Human Rights) is a video art project which transcends politics and war to reveal our common humanity. Real people from the front line representing different sides of conflicts are asked to remove their clothes and ‘uniforms’, leaving them naked before the camera and audiences. A highly charged and simple format, the images equalize the individuals by giving each one the same time to undress and an equal space within the finished work. As these non-actors act out my instructions they are stripping away layers of complexity, and touch base once more with their, and our, common and physical humanity.
The first part of the project focuses on the Colombian conflict. In 2009 a follow up will be made on the Israeli - Palestinean Conflict.
Fernando Arias projects these portraits he filmed in life-sized images on opposite walls with the viewers in the middle. The most revealing moment is when the four projections are started for the first time: seeing these people confronted with one another while they are all undressing at the same time. The viewers are then like the fifth component in this war.
This project was supported by the Prince Claus Fund and it relates to the themes of Culture and Conflict and Culture and the Human Body.
The Artist
Fernando Arias is a visual artist who has been living between Colombia and Britain for the last 20 years. Currently based in Colombia, he is setting up a Foundation with the collaboration of Jonathan Colin, cultural projects manager, to focus on artistic and environmental projects with a social focus. His work ranges from conceptual installation to video, photography and performances dealing with among others political, religious, sexual, displacement and drug related issues.
Recent work has directly involved marginalized groups such as Afro-Colombians and indigenous communities. His aim is to create art that confronts both the individuals involved and the broader society in focus, through presenting the work. The outputs, although aesthetically 'beautiful', are often confrontational, creating a consciousness in the participants, and a better understanding of the issues they face within the wider society when presented. Taking this approach further, the Foundation will be a 'collaborative link' between communities and supporters. Involving a support network of experts in Colombia, the organizers will develop cultural projects that create positive social and environmental awareness. Fernando Arias personal work has been widely shown internationally in Biennales such as Cuba, Mercosur and Venice.
