REAP WHAT YOU SEW®

The images below were taken on July 28th 2010.
WARNING: these images are sad and may be disturbing. They are not for the squeamish.

Streamlining the Millennium Development Goals for More Impact

EVERY MOTHER COUNTS

CARE USA

JUST A MINUTE

I am currently in a show at the Center For Contemporary Art and the Natural World The Exhibition: Fashion Footprints Sustainable Approaches is a groundbreaking concept devised by CCANW and graduates from the MA Fashion and the Environment at London College of Fashion. The work is on view through November, 2010. I was asked to donate a print for the show; see above image: “Sew Much To Smile About” is a video still taken from one of several video poems shown in the “Open-Book, Open-Source – AFRICA” video piece on exhibit. The Video Book is exploring various connections to the African maker. In this print a Malagasy woman is smiling while embroidering lace. Her smile represents handmade pleasure from Madagascar, and the cultural capital throughout Africa. For information on how to bid on this print, email info@ccanw.co.uk
“Sew Much To Smile About”
Archival Inkjet print
11.5″ x 19″ (inches)
2010
#1 in edition of 5

Below are images of the “Open-Book, Open-Source-AFRICA” piece made by customizing a used book and ipad.

One year ago, I got an email from Tina Lutz of Lutz & Patmos. Tina was inquiring about apparel production in Africa. I was thrilled to hear that their new guest designer was to be Archbishop Desmond Tutu! I already knew Lutz & Patmos had been dedicating at least one style per season to a charity, and since this project would benefit the Desmond Tutu Peace Center in Cape Town, I shared all my South African contacts. I wasn’t surprised that Tina chose to work with Hillcrest Aids Center Trust.
With a mission statement of “empowering and uplifting people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS to become economically self-sufficient through the production of crafts within their own environment,” I remembered that I had briefly filmed at Hillcrest — maybe an hour or two at the most. To my surprise, I did not have much craft footage, and here is why:

In 2007 I spent 2 months in Africa gathering anecdotes for my Mirror/Africa project. After a busy month in Madagascar, I had only one day free before moving on to Lesotho, so I decided to fly into Durban to visit the Hillcrest AIDS Center. My friend Tamsin Smith — the founding president of (RED) and long-time advocate of trade ties with Africa — tipped me off to the amazing women beaders and quilters there. I had expected to be moved by mission of this faith based group, but hadn’t expected them to be creating such original and stylish works of art. I think that I shopped more than I filmed that day. But I did document some treasures. I came across a man in the Hillcrest garden, who was planting & potting with great care. He looked like a potential draft for the NBA. However his uniform was a Hillcrest apron and his title was “Horticulturist.” He was very much more than that and his name was Sphiwe. Below is a picture of this man, given by his twin brother. ~NMH

About Sphiwe Dennis Madlala – by Mandla Madlala (Sphiwe’s twin brother):
He was born in December 22, 1978 in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal
and he moved out of Pietermaritzburg to Molweni in 1990 and he died in
Molweni.
He passed away September 30, 2007 it was on Sunday.
He was 32 years old when he passed away.
He had one child before passing away.
He liked gospel and R&B.
There is a lot of things that Sphiwe did before he died.
He started to play soccer for Leken Stars, Swallows, then he moved to Brazil F.C. to play as a striker and the goalkeeper. After two years, Sphiwe became a coach for Brazil F.C., and he liked soccer same as me. He was a good coach for Brazil F.C. He looked after the club and he was a good communicator with the players, and he was also one of the managers of the team. I remember a lot of things that Sphiwe did at that time. The club was playing in West zone league and the club became position 3. When Sphiwe died the club was also finished at that time.

Director: Nicole Mackinlay Hahn
Music: “Sanctus (Heilig, heilig, heilig)” by Ladysmith Black Mambazo

If you love riding your bicycle, chances are, you’re going to crash. That’s why I always wear my helmet. I’ve had a handful of crashes, mostly on the urban streets/pavement. In three of those accidents, I was only cruising 4 or 5 miles an hour and one time I woke up in an ambulance with minor injuries. My helmet saved my life in all three of those crashes. A reputable helmet company will replace your damaged helmet for free too! Since spring/summer is upon us, I’ve noticed a lot of NYC cyclists without helmets. Please take responsibility for yourself, and our cycling community. Check out the 20 second film below for some safety inspiration: ~NMH

CRASH from Nicole Mackinlay Hahn on Vimeo.

A series of animations were created for my feature doc film HARDIHOOD (distributed by First Run Features) The seven animations were inspired by Jen Klish’s weekly Ad illustrations for the Missing Link Bicycle Cooperative in Berkeley. This animation “CRASH” promotes bicycle safety and opens Chapter 5 of the film. Always wear a helmet.

Director: Nicole Mackinlay Hahn
Animator: Todd Elliott
Illustrations: Jen Klish
Sound: Kadet Kuhne

I recently directed and created a video PSA for the  CHRISTIE’S GREEN AUCTION in honor of the upcoming 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.  I had my heart set on filming in an urban greenhouse and I was delighted to find Eli Zabar’s Vinegar Factory rooftop gardens on the way upper east side of Manhattan… and relieved with the permission to use them.  We then asked  green enthusiasts to make a Bid To Save The Earth.  Courageous participants made the trek up to the 85 degree Greenhouses where each  stopped to smell the shy tomatoe blossoms, and (big inhale) sniffed the foliage before exhaling their pledge.  Some participants like Ted Kheel were really prepared; his 1992 Earth pledge is a mature 18 years old, and I’ll be highlighting that pledge in a seperate video this week.  Barneys New York partnered with sustainable fashion brand Loomstate to create a series of 100% certified organic cotton T-shirts inspired by the NBC logo’s peacock feathers (which provided a colorful canvas for bids). And speaking of fashion, Lanvin’s designer -  Alber Elbaz -  reminds us that maybe colors do have smell? ~NMH
The broad range of spokespeople in the PSA represents the global nature of the issues facing the environment. Notable participants (in order of appearance) include:

• Ted Kheel – labor lawyer, negotiator and founder of Earthpledge
• Kassia Meader – professional surfer
• Michael Stipe – singer, songwriter, artist
• Regina McMahon Schneider – Mother, wife, actress
• Matthew Modine – Actor
• Kim Hastreiter – Editor/Publisher Paper Magazine
• Three as Four Designers (Gaby, Adi, Angela)
• Christophe De Menil – philanthropist, collector and designer
• Brad Baker – Professional bike messenger
• Constance Jablonski – fashion model
• Alber Elbaz – Designer, Lanvin
• Scott Mackinlay Hahn –Co-founder of Rogan and Loomstate Fashion Houses
• Dakota Goldhor – Actress

A Bid To Save The Earth Video PSA – Behind The Scenes

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.