Ouch!

Seamus Murphy

One particulary interesting photographer, Seamus Murphy. He's interesting because we saw in the World Photo Exhibition in the Olde Kerk that he had been photographing the story of a man from Peruvia named Nazererth (I think), who had a dream that God visited him. In this dream, God declared that his first born child would 'speak with wisdom'. This child is now attracting huge congregations. You should check out the photos.

Raises a few questions like what would really happen if a new messiah was born? Even, as some religions believe, a few prophets are born for every age, a prophet would really have their work cut out for them in this era. Most of the other photos at the exhibit were brutal in their intensity. Lots of human agony, to backdrops neatly describing the viciousness of war and poverty. As Don said when we left, 'Doesn't that make you feel good to be human?' Whoever this Peruvian kid is, I don't envy his mission, whether charlatan or believer, at all.

-- Danielle

World Press Photo 2004

Today we went and see the World Press Photo 2004 exhibition. The least I can say is that it was disturbing. The world in which we live in is really messed up (not that I didn't know that, but having it "in your face" is different).

Don said that, having been around press photos for years, it doesn't really change "people killing other people, people dying from disease, people suffering, ... ". He is right, it's still the same as ... well, as for ever ... With the current affairs being what they are (war, terrorism -from wherever it comes, state or not-, misery, suffering, etc), it's about time that human beings start to do something about this, something serious, not just talk.

-- Bruno