Making the Invisible Visible
Troy Davis has spent the last 19 years on death row in the US, despite doubts over his conviction. To raise awareness of this case, Amnesty International have teamed up with German street art collective Mentalgassi to produce a series of works which can currently be seen on railings in central London.
The image of Troy’s face has been split into sections and wheatpasted to the side of the railings so it is hidden when viewed from the front, but becomes visible when approached from the side. The work is part of a campaign entitled Making the Invisible Visible and is aimed at increasing awareness of Amnesty’s ongoing work to support those who are badly treated and imprisoned around the world.
The use of the railings in this work makes the message even more powerful. It’s a striking example of how a well executed and creative idea can help to raise awareness for a cause. If you’re in London and would like to see the installations in the flesh, they can be found at 4-7 Great Pulteney Street and 21 Great Pulteney Street in Soho and at 5 Berners Street, both London W1 (Map).
Tweet 
Share 
Subscribe 
Bookmark 
Got an idea for a blog post? "Let us know.":http://support.redbubble.com/faqs/advanced/redb...
Edit: This piece was posted to highlight a creative and well executed concept and to demonstrate that art can be an effective way to highlight causes and create awareness for issues. We’ve posted on similar topics in the past. These pieces of art went up in London in the past couple of days and have been covered on a number of art blogs. From time to time we will post about art news, installations, exhibitions and events happening around the world. Our intention is to highlight inspiring art and artists, and unique ideas.
Comments
I have been advocating for Troy for years now. A Light in the Darkness
Yes Helen a truly remarkable piece of art for a great cause.
extra special posting. thank you so much . and to Helen a big thank you and hug as well.
I’ve been sitting here thinking very hard before typing this…. but decided that we are all free to express opinion and so I shall. “…The jury found that Davis, after shooting another man earlier in the evening, murdered a police officer who came to the rescue of a homeless man Davis had beaten. Mark MacPhail had never even drawn his weapon…” That 80% of the people who recannted testimony did so with an attorney, I would venture to say that the odds of an 80% reversal of ‘eye witness accounts’ is off the chart illogical. The courts pondered for years over this case, and one court did so for one entire year. With all due respect offered to H M Bascom’s right to disagree, above here, the evidence has not been lacking.
As for RB using this sad case as a way to show us ‘wheatpasted’ art, I’d say everyone should have a google.. and note that details about wheatpasting is easy to find on the internet. I wonder why you all thought to use Troy Davis’ case as exmaple of how it can be used.
As an aside, I do not believe in the death penalty, or ANY taking of life… this is not the issue. The leanings of RB, have in the past year and a half or so that I have been here, have clearly expressed a leaning toward one side. Evidenced by the choice of homepage on 9/11 that seemed to appear as quickly as it was posted….
I applaud anyone who fights for justice. I do not applaud the use of this complex case as an example of how can wheatpasting can be used. It is dubious, to say the least
In 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that an evidentiary hearing be conducted to examine alleged recantations by trial witnesses and determine if clear and convincing evidence existed to prove Davis’ innocence. On August 24, 2010, the conviction was upheld, with the court declaring, “Davis is not innocent.”
Wikipedia entry on Troy Davis
I so strongly respect this form of protest.
and what an amazingly creative concept. That it is done on steel bars makes it even more poignant.
Apparently, I am not the only person in the world who believes in Troy’s innocence. This post clearly demonstrates that people around the world believe he is innocent as well. I think it is wonderful that Mentalgassi and Amnesty International have joined forces to increase awareness about his case. How many innocent people have been executed in the USA?
in the interest of casing a point, the fact that amnesty international are active in campaigning for Troy indicates reasonable doubt for his incarceration. reasonable doubt being an adequate reason for dismissal of a case in any ‘fair’ court system. just my my 2c.
cool execution of street art though. i dig lenticulars.
two cents worth. " Davis is not innocent" is different than Davis is guilty-)
I think I agree that this is a rather dubious way of showing this particular art form. Perhaps we have a slight lean toward humanitarian causes, maybe other examples of this art could be shown :-)
My views on both the Justice system and the death penalty fall under RB etiquette and are therefore unprintable:-)
I do think it falls to a court of law to determine the guilt or innocence of Davis and as this case seems to have been to the highest court in the land who have had access to all the evidence and upheld the original conviction there is little else to be said. The jails are full of "innocent " men all of who would love their particular case to become a cause celeb to well meaning, but gullible, people. Perhaps these same people could channel their charitable energies to helping the relatives of the murder victim rather than the murderer himself.