In the wake of a very political 2015, Conté Magazine spoke to photographer Michelle Wastie about her #ThePeopleHaveSpoken campaign and why the arts are still important in any revolution. The following is the full interview.
Who is Michelle Wastie? Are you originally an artistic activist?
"I am an artist who is acutely attuned to my surroundings. My inner-dialogue around activism is something that has been developing in the background. I have always loved the documentary genre of my photography most. I love connecting with and connecting people. I have only recently reached the space within myself to unlock the capacity to contribute in this way."
Explain what the #ThePeopleHaveSpoken campaign is all about?
"It is about uniting South Africans in the notions that bind us, beyond background, demographic, culture or race. It is about people seeing someone like themselves speak out, voice an opinion to which they can relate and finding courage to step up and make a difference. When the leadership of the Country is not listening to the people, the least we can do is hear one another. When a person feels heard and seen they realise that they matter, and when we realise that we matter we are more inclined to contribute to make a difference. The present and future belongs to us; it is up to us to be the change now."
What sparked the idea for the campaign?
"The campaign has dictated its own direction. When the news of the finance minister's removal broke out, followed by the appointment of two ministers in a matter of days, I was observing public sentiment on social media. This action signified a new level of disregard that had not previously been demonstrated. I wanted to know what people were thinking and feeling. And, more importantly, I wanted to know who the people were behind the thoughts and feelings."
What emotions were you hoping to elicit from the campaign?
"I want people to feel and think whatever the campaign evokes in them. The hope in this contribution is that it can move us towards unification but this will only be the outcome if people truly relate."
What is the role of the arts in any revolution?
"Art is all about freedom of expression. When the artist is part of a society where disregard of any kind is prevalent, they feel a primal need to express themselves and use their art to raise awareness, motivate and spark the feelings that will ultimately shape a revolution. It is an essential part of creating a platform for people to relate and mobilise. This is why, historically, art has been an essential element of any revolutionary movement. Art has a responsibility to speak where other voices or opinions are being manipulated or silenced."
Should every artist be using their medium for social responsibility and why?
"The artist is a carrier not only of their own thoughts and ideas but also of the thoughts and ideas that echo through the society they form a part of. Freedom of expression is a very powerful tool, therefore using this tool for social responsibility is, in itself, a great contribution to society."
How does photography allow you to really say what you want to say?
"This project has been an investigation into what some South Africans are thinking and feeling with regards to the governance of the country. It has been a platform for individuals to share and has therefore taken on an organic state of its own with regards to expression. Unlike moving pictures or a social media feed, photography is different as a medium in that it allows the viewer the luxury of uninterrupted time to relate and process the visual in front of them. In particular, this project captures a moment in time, the sentiment and emotion of a person together with the extra layer of expression in their handwriting all in one image. This leaves little room for manipulation or misinterpretation and gives the viewer enough time to be moved by, and form an opinion on the subject. The idea here is to start a conversation between all of us so that we can see where our ideas and hopes overlap."
In your opinion, what would be the standard iconic image for a revolution?
"I can think of many pictures that could fit this description. For me, Malcolm Browne's The Burning Monk is one of the most iconic anti-oppression revolutionary images ever shot. As JFK said, 'No news picture in history has generated so much emotion around the world as that one.'"
What was the process of putting together this campaign?
"I bought a chalkboard from a toy shop. I was initially quite disappointed at the multicoloured appearance of the chalkboard, until I realised that the board's colours include some of those of the South African flag. I saw this as a sign that South Africa needed a voice to express its sentiments and emotions. The concept of the chalkboard is based on that of the speaker's staff. The person with the board gets to have a chance to share. There was a small transformation for each participant through the act of formulating and writing down their thoughts or sentiments. Once this step had been completed, I asked the participant to show the emotion that accompanied their sentiment. At this point, I captured their portrait."
What are some standout moments from when you were conducting these shoots?
"It was very powerful to see the transformation that happened for each participant in clarifying for themselves their thoughts and sentiments. I witnessed that this process has a cathartic effect for the participant. Corruption is the word on the lips of 99 out of 100 people that I have spoken to. There is a keen awareness and despondency amongst people that our leadership do not have the interests of the people at heart. As a society, it is our responsibility to fend for those who cannot fend for themselves. Although the different classes are hit in variable degrees by the financial crisis, it is the poor, the elderly and the sick who are on the breadline and suffer the most. All of my standout and most hard-hitting moments were around elderly people and people who live on the street."
If you were in one of these pictures, what would be written on your board?
"United we cannot be defeated. At our core, we are all the same."