New Documentary Explores Thread Between Democracy, Buddhism And Street Art (VIDEO)

An upcoming documentary, 'Art as a Weapon,' will allow viewers access into the closed country of Burma, and illuminate the intersection of street art, Buddhism and democracy. The project, spearheaded by director Jeff Durkin, began when he witnessed Shepard Fairey painting a 30 ft. mural of a Buddhist monk in his hometown of San Diego. The mural intimately enmeshed three distinct notions: religion, human rights and art. From there, Durkin embarked on his journey to explore the overlap of these three staples of human existence, using Burma as a case study.

The film's plot thickened when Durkin received word that Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Burmese political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi's was being released from house arrest and would make her first phone call to the US to a group of UC Berkeley students, a phone call which Durkin had the opportunity to record. The fortuitous overlap of these seemingly disparate events perfectly embodies the spirit and purpose of the film.

Art as a Weapon Documentary // Beginnings from BREADTRUCK TV on Vimeo.

The documentary will portray "the lives of Burmese school children learning how to use spray paint, Buddhist monks who write poetry, and street artist Shepard Fairey creating a three-story mural in support of Burma." The search for truth takes three different manifestations which all allow for non-violent resistance to oppression.

Durkin has enacted a Kickstarter campaign to raise the necessary funds to send filmmakers to the Thai/Burma border. Those who donate will also have a creative role in the film, through suggesting interviews and watching rough cuts.

Comments

[ARTisMYWeapon]

07:23 PM on 11/26/2011

Jeff - Thank you for responding to my concerns. Again, you all seem like good people. And I would like to take you at your word. But it all seems a bit too convenient.
In an age where even kids GOOGLE names. A simple Google of Art As A Weapon (BEFORE) you began your project would have yielded did you mean ART IS MY WEAPON?
And the Images search would have yielded my LOGO.

But once you were made aware. Apology noted. You continued to use it. And to add insult to injury,
You continue your fundraising efforts using imagery, wording that draws on, dilutes and diminishes detracts from OUR message, that art is MY message, a personal empowerment to find creative Nonviolent ways to work for peace and humanity - NOT just in BURMA, but here at home and throughout the world.

YOU are correct, that I am too close to this. I am very close to this. I don't think you a real grasp as to how far reaching the ART IS MY WEAPON message has been.Mentoring Inner City Kids, Speaking out against Homophobia and Hate Crimes, Visiting Nursing Homes, GIVING COMPUTERS to Inner City Artists, Housing The Homeless in my home. Including young Artists in my exhibits. Making Everyday of my life about Inspiring Peace and Humanity. IT's NOT A FUNDRAISER. IT"S NOT A MOVIE. IT's MY LIFE.

http://www.menobodyknows.com/nobodyblog/?p=8733

[ARTisMYWeapon]

09:08 AM on 11/24/2011

And Rips-off NYC STreet Artist TMNK aka NOBODY and his ART IS MY WEAPON Logo and movement in the process.

[DC Scorpiongirl]

09:55 PM on 11/20/2011

This sounds like it will be a very interesting and eye-opening project. Great mural!

[The Wounded Ladle]

10:06 AM on 11/20/2011

Compelling.