The Shelter of Dignity
Conflictual Dialogue, film, materials, 2024Tony, the homeles s man we met under the bridge next to Lewisham Tube station in London, always nodded and smiled at everyone who passed by. Because he was on the way every time we went to a friend’s house, we started squatting down and talking to him. He told us he was from Ireland and had been working on construction sites in London since he was 15, but had lost his job when his boss ran away and couldn’t find work and ended up homeless.
In March, Tony told us that he had been diagnosed with cancer and was still waiting for the hospital to assign him asupport room, and the physical pain made living on the streets even more difficult.
We cannot remain silent about his needs. So we tried to use a clash of screenings and conversations with Tony to raise money for his accommodation. We plan to invite the public to watch the homelessness documentary with him, have a post-screening discussion with Tony, and pay as they can(freely give Tony housing expenses according to their ability).
Fees from the conflictual screenings were used to help Tony find temporary housing.
However, the action did not change the actual living situation of Tony. The dialogue space we temporarily have seems to be a fleeting dream. He went back to the streets after few days’ hostel. He resisted the further help we possibly could connect him with the embassy of Ireland. After I left London to China, I lost connection with him.
After these, we began to re-examine the morality of artistic social intervention on people.
和Tony的放映现场，2024年2月
The Screening With Tony, February 2024
The Screening With Tony, February 2024
尊严庇护所，“讲述” 画稿，2024
尊严庇护所，“讲述” 画稿，2024
尊严庇护所， “平视” 综合材料，2024
尊严庇护所， “平视” 综合材料，2024
尊严庇护所， “平视” 综合材料，2024