An exhibition featuring ‘Postcards from the Frontline’, the 350 photos taken by individual Maldivians to be sent out to 350 of the world’s most influential leaders and celebrities, was held in Malé recently. This exhibition was part of the project’s initiative to support the many worldwide events of Global Day of Climate Action.
‘Postcards from the Frontline’ is a volunteer generated, non-profit first-of-its-kind movement initiated in September 2009 by Maldivian. With Maldivian photographers, artists, designers and writers as part of the Frontline team, the project aims to send a nationwide appeal to 350 of the most influential people ahead of the landmark UN climate change conference to be held in Copenhagen this December. In short, the intention is to inform the world of the hapless and undeserved plight of the Maldives in the face of climate change.
The Maldivian public came all out in their support of the campaign, submitting over 6,500 photos just one week after the announcement of the campaign. Each photo represented a snap shot from a Maldivian’s life. A panel of nine judges selected the final 350 through a process of elimination and each is from a different individual.
Professional and amateur photographers sent in snaps depicting all aspects of Maldivian life – from close-ups of arecanuts to children playing in a puddle on a road in Male’.
According to Mr. Umair Badeeu, a curator and team member, the photos showcase a diverse range of Maldivian life as well as diverse interests.
A prevalent theme is beach erosion, which Mr. Badeeu says is a typical view “that Maldivian face when they go about their daily lives.” Another member, Mr. Ahid Rasheed points out that in the last five years, one in every two inhabited islands has experienced beach erosion.
One picture winged its way to the President of United States, Barack Obama. Taken by Mr. Fazeel Khaleel it shows a child sitting on a beach flying a yellow kite while another boy wades in the shallow lagoon. The white sandy beach, the blue lagoon and the greenery makes this the perfect postcard of the Maldives. The caption identifies it as Kuda Rah an uninhabited island in Kaafu Atoll.
Another picture, which evoked a lot of excitement, is the perfect shot of a stork sitting patiently looking out towards the sea.
One must note that the intention was not to collect a whole range picturesque images. Photographers were asked to send pictures that showed the true day-to-day life of a Maldivian, a photo that has a precious meaning to the individual.
The display structure of the exhibition was equally remarkable. Made from planks of timber and poles of iron, the structure shows elements in tension, manmade and natural together, each of which lacks stability on its own, but when bonded together with rope show that the elements work as a whole. Volunteers who built the structure included surfers and musicians.
“The footprint of the whole structure is 6 ft by 6 ft,” says design architect Mr. Ammi, a reference to reducing one’s carbon footprint.
Mr. Ahid says the end result will be known in December: “This appeal will reach people who can make a difference and that is what will make this movement a success.”
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