'Our Voices Rising' looks into the textual and sonic space provided by kite flying and its potential to reach and connect. It aims to 'publish' poetry on the kites and play sounds using aeolian instruments attached to the kites so as to discover new dynamics in poetics through the freedom of the wind. It also envisages to help children, young people, adults and communities in general reach their readers/viewers/listeners clear and high as they 'raise' their 'voices'. The final result is an orchestrated poetic event which is filmed both from the ground and from a camera attached to a helium balloon. The project has received an UnLtd Millennium Award.
Hawaiian Proverb
Defining the message:
When we are children dreamers and dreams are not separated. They are like the string and the kite in the wind. True dreams full of life and excitement. Yet they are often dimmed by circumstances which prevent us from playing and the dreamer does not come true and dreams are forsaken. But the kite rises against the wind and a poetic statement can be sent. A 'kite' is also a slang term for correspondence received while incarcerated. The symbolism here is that a message can only be passed from ‘raising’ awareness of issues that confiscate our lives. By sending kites into the air topics such as deforestation and other environmental as well as social concerns do not merely become pieces of news but poetic statements that reach us all.
