Artists Take Action!

ARTISTS TAKE ACTION!

• Denne side på dansk
• Network-page on MySpace

	INTRODUCTION
	It is our belief that art can make changes. As artitst we can make a difference. Art is not just entertaiment or a way of earning money like any other work. Art can be directly and indirectly a means of changing things in peoples' lives and in society – improvement, progress and economic opportunities. Directly because art creates awareness and therefore contributes to raise financial means. Indirectly because music gives inspiration and strength. And because it links the individual artists to a fellowship of people who share the same conviction. We believe that our art can give us and our fellow beings a better life, but it demands to believe in ourselves and in our art. It also means that we have to be consistent and continue to develop our potential. A good way to proceed is to be part of a network of like-minded artists. Therefore ... Artists Take Action!

	SUPPORT FOR A HOSPITAL IN MOZAMBIQUE
	The network organisation Artists Take Action was started by Gimo Mendes, who is a musician born in Mozambique and now based in Aarhus, Denmark His first idea was to collect money for a hospital in Mozambique “I had a friend, Abdul Kadre, who was taken to the hospital of my home town. He did not leave it alive. The hospital was in such a bad state, that it was dangerous to be hospitalized. There were no clean syringes, the medecines were out of date, the refrigerators were not working, everything was rusty. And nobody had any money to do something about it. This is inhuman. After we buried my friend, I could not sleep for many nights and I wondered if I could do something. Why couldn't I use my music to improve this state of things?” “I live in Denmark, I have a job and a family. But as a human being, I simply cannot forget, where I come from – and how people are suffering there.” “So I thought a lot about how I could find a way to mobilize the artists who live in Mozamique so that we, all together, could use our art to change things for the better. It could start, for instance, on Ilha de Mozambique, my native island. And later, over a longer term, it could be also in other places in the country. I am convinced that art can change things. As artists, we can make a difference.”
	• If you understand the Danish language, then listen to this MP3-file where Gimo Mendes explains why he started the artists-network Artists Take Action: • Read more about Gimo Mendes on his home page, gimomendes.com Below are a couple of pictures from the hospital, photographed by Gimo Mendes in 2006:

	WHY GIVE SUPPORT THROUGH YOUR MUSIC?
	Gimo Mendes: “Firstly, to make a CD for a cause is the same as to give to a lot of people the possibility to partake in the same project and there is a potentiel to raise more money than I ever can earn myself.” “Secondly, it is important to see who provides the money. I have seen many support organisations arrive in Mozambique to help, but it is as if they don't come into contact with the people. It is as if the money evaporates. Also the people are passive when they just receive.When I, as a known musician, come with money for a hospital, every body around knows that it is a personal support. It makes people get involved.” “Thirdly, it isn't just about money. It is also a matter of spreading knowledge and showing new attitude. When I go to Mozambique, I spend a lot of time talking to people about the idea behind the initiative. Also I talk about Denmark and what the Danes think of the recent incidents about the Islamic caricatures in newspapers.”

Would you like to know more?
Would you like to join our network?
Go to: myspace.com/artiststakeaction

Or contact: GIMO MENDES
(+45) 4094 7478
(+45) 6127 8619
E-mail: info at artiststakeaction.net

Account no in Folkesparekassen: 9860-000-02-07950