Illegal Beauty is a participatory and inclusive “cultural network of individuals with social ambitions.” Its mission is strategic: to change the terms of debate around issues of citizenship (particularly immigration and illegality) and create “ongoing collaboration among individuals, communities and organizations dealing with people without papers.” Designers, artists, and activists are invited to contribute their visions.
Projects under the Illegal Beauty umbrella show a more human side to the topic of illegal immigration. Through diverse cultural products, these artists collaborate with (or actually are) people without papers. Empowering “illegals” demonstrates their potential contribution and beauty, moving both their thoughts and public concern from the margins to the center.
The approach is unique for its focus on changing the terms of the debate. Rather than fight legislative battles, Illegal Beauty argues against the absurdity of labeling a person illegal, and for the humanity of those people so labeled.
It is important to highlight that Illegal Beauty is not making political demands. They are looking for a cultural shift, a change in the public mentality:
Art and culture are containers to formulate questions for the public in a more attractive and positive way. This will open up the discussion and, in the long run, will provide potential credibility for ‘people without papers’.
Power, freedom, equality and beauty are extra-political (that’s a core belief that shapes our outlook at Groundswell) and Illegal Beauty does a great job at showing that and building a better social understanding of immigration and its cultural effects.
Thanks, Marc!
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