As part of “Reimagining Human Rights,” a new initiative from hope-based comms and Fine Acts to develop a shared library of positive creative content around human rights, we are uplifting notable themes and values portrayed in commissioned artworks and providing sample messages for their dissemination on social media. To learn more about why we are seeking to positively reframe human rights, check out this first blog.
This week, two recurring themes caught our eye: those of joy and togetherness.
A number of artists gravitated to one or both of these ideas, portraying them as fundamental to a future where human rights are not only respected but also built into the basic fabric of society.
Below, we’ve pulled out a few works from artists who chose to play with the twin concepts of “joy” and “community”—two things, one could argue, that are inextricably linked. In fact, neuroscience has shown time and time again the unmistakable connection between a sense of belonging in community and overall life satisfaction.
What is human rights, if not for the opportunity to live a life that makes one happy?
Human rights is joyful
All too often, human rights is associated with Very Serious Work via the frame of “protection” (i.e. protecting human rights from...insert whatever terrible action here). Just a superficial Google News search with the phrase “human rights” brings up a host of pages on “human rights abuses”...”reports of human rights abuse”...”human rights violations”...and so on. But what does it look like without the abuse - what is the behaviour we want to encourage? What is it we are all working for?
In a year where Black Lives Matter protests in the US and pro-Democracy protests in Hong Kong captured headlines worldwide, resistance and collection action were often portrayed in media reports as violent, angry, or even deadly—despite the very basic human needs and powerful visions that drove these movements. In the imaginings of the artists featured below, however, resistance is joyful, and together we find peace.
Joy is an act of resistance
Pietro Soldi for Fine Acts
Sample messages for social media:
Human rights are about the opportunity to pursue lives that make us happy. Joy is an act of resistance against the systems that seek to limit it. Art by Pietro Soldi.
Things have been hard for all of us this year, but we continue to nurture joy as the greatest act of resistance of all. Art by Pietro Soldi.
“Joy is an act of resistance.” - Poet Toi Derricotte. Art by Pietro Soldi.
Make the world your oyster
Bernice Liu for Fine Acts
Sample messages for social media:
Human rights is about having the opportunity to live a life that makes us happy. Art by Bernice Liu.
This year was hard on all of us, but the world is still out there, ready to be your oyster. Help us ensure all people have the same opportunity by supporting human rights on #HumanRightsDay2020. Art by Bernice Liu.
Don't Stop Her Flow
Ové Pictures for Fine Acts
Sample messages for social media:
Human rights helps all of us pursue the lives that make us happiest. Art by Ové Pictures
Joy is at the core of what human rights is all about. We all deserve to live lives that make us happy and fulfilled. Art by Ové Pictures.
What is human rights except for the ability to live a life that makes one happy? Join us in promoting human rights today and every day. #HumanRightsDay2020 Art by Ové Pictures.
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” - Eleanor Roosevelt. Art by Ové Pictures.
Human rights is not achieved alone
Unity, community, and the importance of allyship was another common theme explored by artists commissioned for this project. Colombian artist Daniel Liévano’s “We Share the World,” Canadian artist Jon Hanlan’s “We Can Only Move Forward Together,” and UK designer Alex Tait’s “We is Me Spelled Differently” similarly depict a tangle of people joyously coming together, uplifting the fact that we are all inextricably linked, with humanity’s future resting upon its ability to get along with each other—and with the earth itself.
We Share the World
Daniel Liévano for Fine Acts
Sample messages for social media:
The future of our world depends on our ability to come together—for each other and for the earth. Human rights are for everyone, everywhere. Join us in making sure our collective future is bright on #HumanRightsDay2020. Art by Daniel Liévano.
“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.” - Ryunosuke Satoro. Art by Daniel Liévano.
If there’s anything we’ve learned this year, it’s that our survival depends on one another. Together, we can make our world better. Art by Daniel Liévano.
We is me spelled differently
Alex Tait for Fine Acts
Sample messages for social media:
The future of our world depends on our ability to come together. Human rights are for everyone, everywhere. Art by Alex Tait.
This year proved that our world is inherently interconnected. Let’s remember this as we work our fellows humans around the world in 2021. Art by Alex Tait.
“Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. Art by Alex Tait.
We can only move forward together
Jon Hanlon for Fine Acts
Sample messages for social media:
If we come together, we can make the world a place where everyone belongs. #HumanRightsDay2020. Art by Jon Hanlon.
“Together we can face any challenges as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky.” - Sonia Gandhi. Art by Jon Hanlon.
This year was hard, but we got through it because we came together. That’s what human rights is all about. Art by Jon Hanlon.