One of the most engaging debates surrounding inequality in the word's wealthiest countries is why it exists at all. In societies blessed with resources, both human and natural, not to mention cash and other capital, why is it that so many of these nations appear to be in crisis?
Notwithstanding the global financial meltdown and long recession the world is still suffering under, the consequences of living under systems which contribute to a steadily widening of incomes are being hotly debated. The statistics and research around outcomes for health and wellbeing make fascinating reading. How is the ever-widening gap between those with wealth and those without contributing to problems in our own country and around the world? What can be done to change, rectify and re-balance these consequences?
Last year, I started researching a project based on the ideas of these imbalances, using the A41, one of England's major trunk roads, as a template. The road runs from one of England's richest neighbourhoods in central London, all the way to Birkenhead, on the banks of the Mersey, in one of the country's poorest wards. This lead me to the Equality Trust, a charitable organisation which aims to raise awareness about these issues and campaign for changes in policy.
The result was the putting together of an Arts project which focuses on the issues brought to the surface by the collaborative research. Funded by the Arts Council England and The Equality Trust, the A41 Project also engages with groups and individuals interested in applying the ideas, practices and ethics of photography to the issues surrounding inequality. Having established participatory groups in London, the West Midlands and Milton Keynes, I am eager to hear from anyone wishing to participate in the project from the North West, particularly Cheshire and Merseyside. No experience necessary, as they say.
The result will be exhibitions, websites, blogs and possibly a publication. In the meantime, please follow the project via Twitter
twitter.com/germanocean or via the Equality Trust website
http://www.equalitytrust.org.uk/
