“Freedom Expressions ATL II, Ghost Slavery: Art Against Human Trafficking”
The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs/Gallery 72, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc., the International Human Trafficking Institute, Artworks for Freedom, and Crews
Open “Freedom Expressions ATL II, Ghost Slavery: Art Against Human Trafficking”
ATLANTA – The Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs/Gallery 72 announced today that it will partner with The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc., The International Human Trafficking Institute, ArtWorks for Freedom, and Crews to open “Freedom Expressions ATL II, Ghost Slavery: Art Against Human Trafficking”
Dates: Wednesday, September 9, 2015 through Friday, October 9, 2015
Time: Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm
Venue: Gallery 72, 2 City Plaza, 72 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Contact: OCAATLANTA.com
The exhibition is a revised re-mounting of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport exhibition, “Freedom Expressions ATL” and will showcase artists’ works that focus on the issue of human trafficking and act as a call to action to raise awareness and commit us all to ending modern day slavery.
“Human trafficking is a very serious issue that affects some of the most vulnerable members of our community,” said Camille Russell Love, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. “Freedom Expressions ATL II uses art to help bring attention to human trafficking and the victims of human trafficking. The Office of Cultural Affairs is proud to re-mount this important exhibition.”
“Human trafficking is one of the greatest human rights crises, yet many don’t know about the magnitude of the problem or their personal connection to the issue,” said Deborah Richardson, Interim CEO of The National Center for Civil and Human Rights. “Researchers estimate that that there are between 21 and 36 million people in the world today living as slaves – it is our obligation to be informed and take action on the issue.”
Human trafficking is the fastest-growing criminal industry worldwide. Men, women, and children are being lured into forced labor camps and sexual exploitation, making them victims of human trafficking. Through economic coercion, psychological coercion, and physical coercion, predators have created a shadow economy culture that uses instruments of exploitation designed to keep workers in a perpetual state of indentured servitude and contemporary slavery. Although international trafficking garners much of the headlines, many U.S. born individuals are also the victims of trafficking syndicates that seek to exploit men, women, and children for national and regional labor and sex industry clients. The title of the exhibition, “Ghost Slavery,” speaks to the sad reality that many who are the victims of trafficking in Atlanta, and other cities of the world, often suffer in the plain view of a public who cannot perceive their status or refuses to recognize their existence.
Additional programming includes:
Human Trafficking Public Forum and Film Screening: “Interstate 20” by Marjé Etheridge, Thursday, September 17, 2015, 6pm
Artists Talk and Open Mic for Human Rights -
Thursday, October 1 , 6pm
Film Screening: Made in Europe by Inan Telmukuran -
Thursday, October 8, 6pm
All events will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Gallery 72.
These events are free and open to the public. Visit OCAATLANTA.com for more information.
Parking: Nearby parking garages include: 104 Marietta Street Parking Garage (176 feet NW); 79 Marietta Street Parking Garage (245 feet NE); Centennial Tower Parking Garage (332 feet NE). Paid street parking is also available near the gallery.
Public Transit: The closest MARTA rail station is Five Points (877 feet SE).
Directions from Five Points MARTA rail station: Take the Gold line to Five Points Station. Exit the station on the Forsyth street side and turn right, walk northeast on Forsyth Street, and turn left on Marietta Street. Walk one block to Fairlie Street. After crossing Fairlie Street the gallery will be on the left.
About Gallery 72: Gallery 72 is a municipal gallery dedicated to presenting stimulating, and thought provoking contemporary art and programs that focus on advancing Atlanta’s art offering. The gallery is open from 10am until 5:00pm and operated by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs.
Gallery 72 is located at 2 City Plaza, 72 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303. OCAATLANTA.com
About The International Human Trafficking Institute: The International Human Trafficking Institute (IHTI) connects college campus groups and student leaders who seek to combat human trafficking, including labor and sex trafficking. Founded in 2014 as a program of The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc., the International Human Trafficking Institute is growing quickly and aims to connect campus groups from around the world. For more information, visit http://theihti.org.
About the Center for Civil and Human Rights: The Center for Civil and Human Rights in Downtown Atlanta is an engaging cultural attraction that connects The American Civil Rights Movement to today’s Global Human Rights Movements. The Center features a continuously rotating exhibit from The Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. Collection, which includes many of Dr. King’s documents and personal items. Visitors will be immersed in experiential exhibits through powerful and authentic stories, historic documents, compelling artifacts, and interactive activities. The Center is a source for ongoing dialogue — hosting educational forums and attracting world-renowned speakers and artists who work on a variety of human rights topics. For more information, visit www.civilandhumanrights.org.
About ArtWorks for Freedom: ArtWorks for Freedom is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to use the power of art in the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking. For more information, visit http://artworksforfreedom.org/.
###
Contact: http://www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26. Follow the City of Atlanta on Facebook and Twitter @CityofAtlanta. Follow Mayor Reed on Facebook and Twitter @Kasim Reed
