 | The Blue Hand Project |
| With our The Blue Hand Project we want to support and develop acceptance of difference. People, situations or things are often different from what one expects or is used to. Our basis of working with racism, hatred of foreigners and other forms of discrimination is that these differences are not bad or threatening, but “just different”. With The Blue Hand Project we want people to have their right hand painted blue for a day or if possible longer so that they can have a feeling/experience of “difference”, including the reactions of others, and thereby an awareness of one’s own shock, perplexity etc. and one’s possibilities to respond. With direct, one on one conversations we make exchanges and examine/ tackle the theme of racism. We make these actions in varied public places: shopping centres, streets, as well as in schools, youth centres and centres of higher education. A 5 meter high blue hand and a large inflatable Earth ball (2m diameter) makes this project very visible. We go directly up to people and talk to them about the project and with their permission paint their right hand blue with washable paint. On the cover of the Earth ball we collect their experiences of “difference”, opinions and suggestions of solutions to fears and problems. The project creates interesting discussions and diverse reactions. Everyone can take part through this simple experience of “slipping into another skin” as well as wearing a sign for solidarity, civil courage and peace. Sponsors: Funding was gratefully received in Germany through the state programme “Local Authorities Against Right Extremism and Violence”, the Ministry of Environment, Nature Protection, Landscape and Consumer Protection (MUNLV), Düsseldorf; and the German Ministry of Partnership and Development (BMZE), Federal Ministry of Families, Senios, Women and Youth. As of March, 2003, ART at WORK has painted over 15,000 hands during 70 actions (including 30 school project days) throughout Germany: in Berlin, Hamburg, Bielefeld, Dortmund, Unna, Oberhausen, Bad Lippspringe, Vlotho, Detmold, Herford, Salzwedel, Leipzig, Müster, Güersloh, Essen, Neuss, Hemer in Husen, Zeitz, Bad Lauchstädt, Wolfen, Weißenfells, Leipzig, Duisburg und Lünen. In South Africa in March, 2002, a total of 9 actions were made in schools and public places in Cape Town, New Crossroads, Khayelitsha and Johannesburg. | 
Foto: Karen Stuke
Foto: Karen Stuke
Foto: Karen Stuke |
