As the run-up to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing continues, attention is once again focussed on the long-running tensions caused by China’s occupation of Tibet. A cause celebre for artists and most people whose political outlook leans towards the liberal, the music industry has always been one of the most outspoken voices when it comes to the Freedom for Tibet movement.

Controversy still rages, as the Chinese refuse to back down and allow the Tibetans to run their own affairs as the Dalai Lama, ruler of the country is still forced to live in exile. Tibet originally broke away from Chinese rule in 1911, although China never acknowledged this, and after a brutal occupation on 1949, Tibet has remained occupied.

 
A decade has passed since the last big mobilisation of Tibet-sympathisers in the Music Industry called attention to the Tibet situation with a very large concert featuring the like of the Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, The Beastie Boys,Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Rage Against the Machine and Bjork, and in fact, Bjork is still flying the flag – last week she caused anger amongst many Chinese by concluding a performance in Shanghai by chanting ‘Tibet, Tibet’.

If you are concerned about the situation in Tibet, you might be interested to hear about a new project by French multimedia artist, Fanny Bouyagui. While not actually a Music Industry person herself, by getting involved with this project, clubbers and other music fans can lend their voices to the chorus in support of the peaceful Tibetans.

Fanny will be travelling around various world cities, including Paris, Barcelona, New York and Berlin, taking pictures of people who are pro-Tibet, with her holding the subject in her arm with the word ‘PEACE’ tattooed in large letters. She aims to take many thousands of people’s photos, with the aim of creating “A gratuitous and ephemeral act, a photographic kidnapping dedicated to world peace and now, in the urgency of the international situation, to start a dialogue with the Chinese authorities, in the observance of human rights.”

People interested in appearing as part of the project can find out where Fanny will be taking photos by visiting www.peaceportrait.com


www.freetibet.org