Context

In response to the disappearance of the 43 students in Ayotzinapa in September 2014, MasterPeace México launched the First Photography, Story and Cartoon Contest: “The 43 Disappeared” in January 2015. 122 people submitted their photos, cartoons and stories, and in April 2015 the award ceremony was celebrated in the Museum of Memory and Tolerance in Mexico City. 35 artists participated in three workshops: cartoons with Trino, photography with Maya Goded and storytelling with Francisco Santos Burgoa.

In May 2015, the MasterPeace Mexico team travelled with the contest winners to Barranquilla, Colombia. They presented their prizewinning artworks twice and exchanged experiences and ideas with the MasterPeace Colombia team.

MasterPeace Mexico and Colombia, with the support of the regional office of MasterPeace Central and Latin America, share the interest of working together around the theme forced disappearances, a problem that faces people in both countries. For this reason the following activities will be organized in 2016, directed to young artists between 16 and 35 years old.

Second Photography, Story and Cartoon Contest “The Disappeared ”

This contest will be organized simultaneously in Mexico and Colombia. The objective is to invite and stimulate young people to express the impact of disappearances on their lives through art.

MasterPeace wants to make clear that they, as individuals, can take action and make an impact. Just like the first contest, in this second edition we strive to create artistic memory, promote freedom of expression and deepen the exchange with artists in Colombia.

Exhibition “The 43 disappeared””

The exhibition, which will be made up of photos, stories and video, aims to inform visitors about the issue of forced disappearances and show its impact on the Mexican youth.

Photography, storytelling and cartoon workshops

These workshops aim to teach respective art disciplines and motivate participants to create artistic memories that they will be invited to submit for the second contest.

Think tanks

With the aim of fostering dialogue, awakening young people and fighting against indifference, we will organize forums to discuss themes like forced disappearances, Culture of Nonviolence, art and peace building.

We will organize tours in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Monterrey to expand MasterPeace within Mexico. (January-April 2016)