Recognizing what´s essential

Este año volví a entrar a la competencia de Bioética, pero esta vez sólo premiaron a los 5 finalistas y pues no quedé. De cualquier forma les comparto la composición de fotos y la explicación. 

BIOETHICS AND HUMAN RIGHTS GLOBAL ART COMPETITION

 “Create an image, with respect for all cultures and religions that speaks to the impact of life sciences

for present and future generation. Illustrate love, compassion and care”

RECOGNIZING WHAT´S ESSENTIAL

“Whenever I met one of them [the grown-ups] who seemed to me at all clear-sighted,

 I tried the experiment of showing him my Drawing Number One, which I have always kept.

 I would try to find out, so, if this was a person of true understanding.

But, whoever it was, he, or she, would always say: “That is a hat.”

My drawing was not a picture of a hat. It was a picture of a boa constrictor digesting an elephant.

 But since the grown-ups were not able to understand it, I made another drawing:

 I drew the inside of a boa constrictor, so that the grown-ups could see it clearly.

 They always need to have things explained. 

One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”

– Little Prince by Saint-Exupéry

The meaning and value of the largest picture is expected to be recognized without an explanation. Unfortunately, just as it happened with the Little Prince´s first drawing, not everybody is able to understand it because “clear-sight” and “true understanding” are difficult to find.

            The smaller picture shows what´s inside the woman´s womb to make it “visible to the eyes”; but regrettably, some grown-ups and scientists keep on denying the undeniable: the human being growing inside the woman is a unique and irreplaceable person who must be respected and protected from conception up to natural death because of his dignity. Nothing justifies human rights violations; neither age, sex, skin color, genetic code, health status, beliefs, nationality, pregnancy “desire”, dependency, religion or culture.

            Life sciences exist in order to serve humans, not the opposite. Nevertheless, some believe that “progress” demands to change hierarchies and so: science, emotions and utilitarianism are now above human dignity. Consequently, some persons are being “used, selected and discarded”.

            Innocent children recognize the truth and are able to use the common sense so uncommon among adults. They don´t waste time pointing out skin color, cultural or religious differences, because they are able to see what´s essential: life, equal dignity, love and happiness. Therefore, the smallest picture encourages thinking about what kind of children we´re leaving to our world and subsequently stop giving them “grown-up`s eye glasses” that cloud their minds and conscience, inspiring discrimination. Instead, we should learn from them to be clear-sighted and teach them to respect.

Original piece inspired in the Little Prince by Saint-Exupéry, composed of a personalized frame holding 3 pictures:

1.     Can you see what´s essential?                            10*10cms

2.     Explanation for “grown-ups”                            10*15cms

3.     Trash “grown-up´s eyeglasses”                          7.5*7.5cms

Approximated total size of the piece with frame:         30*45cms



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August 30, 2013

Dear Artist,
Your participation is important and we would like to commend you on being one of hundreds of artists around the world taking on this challenge of touching people’s hearts and bringing awareness to Bioethics. 
While decisions were difficult, we regret to inform you that your submission was not selected among the five winners in your category of the 2013 Bioethics Art Competition.
We hope this challenge has been a stimulating and enlightening experience for you.
We encourage you to participate in the upcoming competition and continue to promote our mission among your friends and colleagues.
Please stay in touch for news and events we will be sharing through our website, www.bioethicsart.org.
Best wishes to you, ARTIST OF THE GLOBE!

Sincerely yours,

Bioethics Art Competition