 |
|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Starting Point
This starting point was formed from my research trip to Malta for my project 'Concrete Paradise'. During an interview I found out that a lot of young people are moving away from the country. It led me on to wanting to research more into migration and identity.
I started looking at themes of identity, such as national and cultural. What does it mean to be a certain nationality? This can link to other things such as cultural diversity and appropriation. It led me onto thinking about diaspora communities.
Throughout our history, moving here has changed the people who came and they have changed Britain.
I started mapping migration patterns, taking inspiration from different map making styles such as Paula Scher's typographic maps and more classic scientific illustrations. I mapped my families migration history as we have an interesting history of living in different countries.
Read into the lines, what's the story?
However, I decided to take a different route, and not focus on my family history. It's a very personal thing and viewers may not relate or care for my story, I knew i wanted to tell stories of hardship and my work to be socially and politically motivated.
The European Migrant crisis is an ongoing issue that i have frequently seen a lot about in the news, and it's Malta's involvement which has always made this issue stand out to me. Malta used “illegal tactics” against immigrants for dealing with the arrival of refugees from the sea, resulting in avoidable deaths, prolonged detention and illegal returns to war-torn Libya
Birds and migration go hand in hand. Whether that's how birds actually migrate thousands of miles every year, or how birds symbolise freedom, guidance and travel. I believe people should be as 'free as a bird' in a sense that there should be freedom of movement for everyone to live where they wish, or especially if they need to escape persecution.
Jacob Lawrence - Migration Series
Scientific bird illustrations have played a huge part in my research and designs.
Bird Semiotics
The bird represents freedom or desire to be free, while the cage symbolizes confinement or oppression.
Malta questions, even opposes, this 'free as a bird' value to people and birds. This project explores the harsh treatment of both human and bird migrants that come to Malta.
Birds
Bird migration is the seasonal movement, often north and south along a flyway, between breeding and wintering grounds.
Malta is a stopping-off point for some 170 species of birds migrating between Europe and Africa. But poachers kill or capture up to 200,000 wild birds every year — a problem widespread across the Mediterranean.
People
People have always migrated in search of new land, jobs or because they are forced to due to war.
Malta has become a transit country for migration routes from Africa towards Europe. Migrants and refugees reached Malta making the crossing from the North African coast. Many immigrants have perished in the journey across the Mediterranean.
Same journey,
Different dangers.
Hunting
Malta is the only EU country to have a recreational spring hunting season allowing birds to be shot. Practically all of the species migrating via Malta are protected by EU law under its Birds Directive. However the Maltese government has side-stepped the rules by using a legal exemption that allows local hunters to continue to kill thousands of birds.
Turtle-doves, a protected species and the symbol for peace continue to be hunted in Malta despite bans due to the decline in the species. Following years of pressure from the Federation for Hunting and Conservation and a decision from the hunting advisory committee, the moratorium was lifted in favour of a spring hunting season.
By the end of 2016, nearly 5.2 million refugees and migrants reached European shores, undertaking treacherous journeys from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries torn apart by war and persecution. For some, this desperate journey was their last. Thousands lost their lives or have gone missing since 2015.
Whether they travel by land or by sea, people fleeing persecution or wars should be allowed to cross borders, with or without travel documents. Pushing people back and putting up massive fences only forces them to take more dangerous routes to safety.
Trapping
Bird trapping with nets has a long tradition in Malta, trapping sites are found everywhere in the Maltese landscape. The EU Birds Directive prohibits bird-trapping, but leaves room for exceptions' and derogations. Malta makes use of this ability to a legally highly questionable extent and allows several species to be caught with nets.
Taxidermy is the main motive behind shooting and trapping protected species. In hunters' circles, respect and pride go to the hunters with the largest collection displaying the rarest species. Also, the illegal pet and exotic animal trade means trapping continues to go on.
Refugees who survive the crossing are then sent to detention centres. Those inside the centers speak of a vacuum of information, a climate of hostility, regular suicide attempts and inhumane, undignified conditions. Migrants were generally locked in accommodation with little access to time outside, in severely overcrowded spaces, and essentially forgotten for months on end.
The cumulative effect of a lack of basic rights, poor conditions, long detention periods & a lack of information on their situation, has contributed to a notable increase in escapes, attempted escapes and riots from June 2020 onwards.
As A learning tool
This publication is a learning tool, it is aimed at older teenagers as a way to learn and raise awareness of these issues. Learning through making connections and links between topics is more engaging and memorable. As this project would progress the publication would be supported by a range of printed material, video and more to form the basis of a workshop/class.
As Malta is Europe’s most densely populated country, building community support towards conservation efforts is vital. More awareness around the magnitude of these environmental and social issues can help change attitudes and start change.