Standing Against Opression

"Je Suis Charlie" image by Yokufo / Installation by Ebony Glendevon

The collaborative installation "Standing Against Oppression" by Ebony Glendevon is one of the pieces with the most impact in "The Oxford" and one of the main reasons the gallery exists in the first place.

"This installation contains a number of components which speak to my belief that we must all do our part to carry light into whatever realm we find ourselves, no matter the personal cost of doing so."

Ebony Glendevon

The first component of the installation is a framed image, "Je Suis Charlie" by Yokufo. The candles scattered across the floor in front of the image form the second part of this installation.  These candles are an expression of the light each of us carry within our souls and appear in a random, never repeating pattern. Though they eventually wink out, there will always be another to shine forth, and another, and another.  Darkness does not exist, it is merely the absence of light. This kind of darkness must not be permitted to prevail.

"There will never be enough candles to commemorate the victims of oppression. It is my belief that if each of us do our own small part to stand against oppression, there need be no more victims."

Ebony Glendevon 

The final piece of the installation is the strongest.  Visitors may light a candle by clicking on any candle to have their name shown above 'their' candle, among the names of the others who feel the same.  Ms. Glendevon has chosen to show the actual, not display names as she believes we must all take indelible, personal responsibility for our actions and beliefs.

If your conscience permits, you can show your support for these principles and freedoms, standing with others in the ongoing fight against any form of oppression we all are facing in these dark days.  Though all names may not be showing at any one time, all names will be shown in turn. Visitors may re-affirm their stance at any time by clicking on any candle.

"It is appalling that a country which was the birthplace and home of lights such as François-Marie Arouet, more commonly known by his pen-name of "Voltaire", should be the scene of atrocities against the very principles they championed.  This image was created in response to the atrocities of January 2015; it was placed on display at the original location of the gallery shortly thereafter.  The recent relocation of the gallery is due to my personal decision not to cede to others within Second Life who would seek to curtail the freedoms so many of us take for granted.  It is no overstatement to say their attitudes and actions need only a balaclava ski-mask and AK-47 to complete the ensemble."

Ebony Glendevon

"Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing."

John Stuart Mill (May 20 1806 – May 8 1873)

  in an inaugural address delivered to the university of St. Andrews: Feb. 1st 1867 

  

"One can only hope the people in charge take courage from those they're supposed to be leading."

Ebony Glendevon,

in open chat, Second Life, January 8, 2015

You may be interested in the "Je suis Charlie" group in Second Life. 

The original "Je Suis Charlie" image by Yokufo on DeviantArt (1063x752), created after the horrible murder of the editors and artists of "Charlie Hebdo" can be found on Yokufo's page on Deviant Art. Subject to attribution, the artist has given explicit permission to reproduce this image.

We'd also like to draw your interest to Yokufo's image "Peace for Paris".

"Peace for Paris" by Yokufo