Rotoscope

This is a quick rotoscope i did showing the flush used in a normal uk home, in developing countries like africa such basic examples of drainage and sanitation aren't very common. they have to rely on rivers and bodies of water to supply all of thier water.

Africa - Images

Because we get it straight from the tap, it’s sometimes easy to overlook how precious a commodity water can be. But, as recent national flooding, and international drought has taught us, it’s not something we should take for granted.

Africa - The facts.

Water
Clean water is essential for life, but one in eight of the world's population does not have access to it. This, and lack of safe sanitation, result in over two million people dying from water-related diseases every year. The lack of clean water close to people's homes also affects people's time, livelihoods and quality of life.

Sanitation
Sanitation can be defined as access to safe, clean and effective human urine and faeces disposal facilities. Worldwide, 2.5 billion people live without this essential service and the resulting diarrhoeal diseases kill almost 5,000 children a day.

Hygiene education
To gain the full benefits of safe water and sanitation communities also need to know about the links between diseases and unsafe hygiene practices. Hygiene education focuses on issues such as personal hygiene - the simple act of washing hands with soap and water can reduce diarrhoeal diseases by a third.

Disease
Poor sanitation and bad hygiene can result in the contamination of water sources with millions of disease causing micro-organisms. These micro-organisms work in different ways to incapacitate infected individuals.

Poverty
The most obvious benefit of access to safe water and sanitation is a reduction in disease. But the economic position of poor families is often dramatically improved when they gain access to these basic services.

Problems for women
In developing countries poor water and sanitation affects the lives of women and children the most. It impacts on women's time, health, education and family relations.

Problems for children
Without safe water and sanitation, life for children in developing countries can be very hard. They are often at risk from disease and are unable to attend school.

Problems for the elderly
In many of the African countries where WaterAid works life expectancy is frighteningly low. Those who do live into old age face increasing problems as collecting heavy loads of water puts further strains on their health.

Problems for the disabled
The struggle to gain access to clean, safe water and basic sanitation facilities is even greater for those contending with physical disability. Collecting water is so much harder, and often impossible, for those in wheelchairs, the blind or simply frail and infirm as a result of illness or old age.

Ste's Weather Updates

"Today is bitterly cold, moisture has no chance to settle as it is frosted over, leaving slippery paths and lethal mountain walks. Beware, wear hiking boots!" Steven Swanbaruga 13:04 11/12/09

Bill Viola

This is one of the 'Small Saints', I recorded this using my camera.

Whilst the man is on the other side of the water to the camera he is seen as colourless, desaturated. As he passes through the water he reaches the light path and in turn becomes coloured. Now i thought when watching this piece that Viola had edited his footage so that an exaggerated effect could be achieved by adding this colour after the man passes through the water, but to my surprise i was told that this wasn't done at all and the change happened because of the certain way viola had set up his lighting.

Bill Viola Exhibition NY

These are a few stills from the Bill Viola exhibition we were lucky enough to visit whilst we travelled to New York. The images I have taken show a piece in the exhibit called 'Small Saints', 2008. This consisted of six small LCD screens playing on loop the passing of individual people through water with Viola's play of light.

Ste's Weather Updates

"Today is drafty, dreary and depressing. But on a bright side a fine shower has just begun" Steven Swanbaruga 14:25 7/12/09