There is no power without control
Message recived from Nuart:
NUART/GRAFFITI RESEARCH LAB ARRESTED.
James Powderly from the Graffiti Research Laboratory (USA), an exhibitor in this and previous years Nuart festival Stavanger, was arrested in Beijing on August 22nd for peacefully protesting Tibet’s treatment under chinese rule using GRL’s laser tag system. The system was due to arrive in Stavanger on Aug 30th.
The Beijing police said it had handed out 10-day detention terms to six foreigners believed by an overseas activist group to be pro-Tibet campaigners involved in Olympic protests this week. In a brief faxed statement, the city police information department said “James” and five other foreigners had been apprehended on Tuesday for “upsetting public order” Beijing police decided to give James and the five others 10 days of administrative detention,” the faxed statement said. Administrative detention is a punishment that can be meted out by Chinese police without having to go through the courts.
Internationally known artist, technologist and co-founder of the Graffiti Research Lab, James Powderly, was detained in Beijing while preparing to debut a new work and technology of protest, the L.A.S.E.R. Stencil. According to Students for a Free Tibet at approximately 5 pm Beijing Standard Time, Powderly had been detained by Chinese authorities at 3 am. His current whereabouts remain unknown.
James is a close friend to Nuart, having taken part in 2006 and was excited at attending this years festival after his visit in Beijing. He is being detained for ten days and will be released on the 30th of August, we will have to wait and see when or if he will arrive in Stavanger.
“James is a unique voice in the world, who lives and breathes art and technology for the purpose of promoting and enabling freedom of expression for all,” said Nathan Dorjee, Director of Technology for Students for a Free Tibet. “His trip to Beijing, in support of the Tibetan people and all people around the world whose voices have been silenced by their governments, is a small piece of his portfolio as an artist who won’t back down in the face of authority.”
The work, “The Green Chinese Lantern,” uses a 400 milliwatt handheld green laser with micro-stencils to beam simple messages and images up to three stories high on surfaces such as billboards, buildings, and bridges. The Laser Stencil technology was developed in conjunction with Students for a Free Tibet.
Powderly’s direct experience with censorship by Chinese authorities furthered his commitment to highlighting the Tibetan cause during the Beijing Games, in partnership with the efforts of Students for a Free Tibet. Powderly and other members of the Graffiti Research Lab were dis-invited from Synthetic Times, a new media art exhibition at Beijing’s National Media Art Museum of China, due to their uncompromising stance on freedom of expression.
NUART WILL OPEN AS SCHEDULED ON SEPT 04TH AT TOU SCENE AND VARIOUS CITY LOCATIONS. STAVANGER NORWAY
GRL’ S FILM ; THE FIRST SEASON WILL BE SCREENED AT SF KINO ON FRIDAY 05TH.
FOR MORE ON GRL : WWW.GRAFFITIRESEARCHLAB.COM