Under the Thumb

Danish School of Media & Journalism - Diploma Project

Link: https://readymag.website/u3427057145/4844845/
Georgia, the small country nestled in the Caucasus erupted into anti-government protests in April/May, 2024 as it found itself on the precipice of division. Under the Thumb is an on-the-ground retelling of the intense nights of civil unrest in a nation entangled by the influence of opposing powers

Excerpted images as shown at Copenhagen Photo Festival 2024

A jaundiced eye: Defend Land Forces Protest 2024

Anti-war protesters clashing with police outside Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition 2024, Melbourne Convention and Exhibtion Centre, Australia, Wednesday, Sep. 11, 2024.

A jaundiced eye (excerpt) - Fine Print Magazine:

“ In 2024, researchers at the University of Bristol released a study which showed Australian police have become world leaders in arresting environmental protesters, and that almost every state in the country has doubled down on restrictive protest laws. This is telling of many things, but in particular it is telling of the state’s desire to quell political dissent, vocalisation and visibility. Living under this kind of state ire breeds an oedemic condition when we already are subjected to a world of conflicting realities, narrative spin and unfiltered imagery via both traditional media and social media. With this swelling of consternation as we’re bombarded by catastrophe around every corner, yet the right to demonstrate against it being actively diminished, are we on track to become desensitised to the ‘protest’ image?”

Full Essay: https://www.fineprintmagazine.com/articles/35-a-jaundiced-eye

Mount Arapiles/Dyurrite Climbing Access Ban
An ongoing conflict is unfolding at Dyurrite/Mt Arapiles, in Western Victoria, where a proposed management plan created by Parks Victoria with support from the Barengi Gadjin Land Council aims to close 60% of rock climbing routes in the area to protect Indigenous heritage sites. While the plan is backed by the relevant Traditional Owners, who want to prioritise cultural preservation, climbers feel they have been blindsided and excluded from dialogue in the development of the plan. The climbing community fear the restrictions will threaten both recreational access and the tourism economy in the local town of Natimuk, which relies heavily on domestic and international climbing visitors. The conflict is forcing a conversation about Indigenous rights and the tension between cultural preservation and recreation. The story explores opposing perspectives and what’s at stake for both sides as the government moves closer to finalising the plan.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/VGsdgPKMO-M

South Africa’s Outdated Education System
Following the end of white-minority rule, the newly elected ANC had the task of combining multiple education systems that stemmed from the racist ‘Bantu Education Act’ of 1953 - segregation laws that divided access to education by racial ethnicity. The complicated and racist system had to be dismantled and amalgamated into a singular education department - for all South Africans. This resulted in the quintile system, a funding structure to organise schools on a scale of 1 to 5, with those at the top (4&5) being the least poor and those in quintile 1-3 being the poorest. Although, the mammoth task of combining all these education departments; inherited from a racist regime was overcome initially, the 30-year-old system has since become outdated, underfunded and emblematic of the poor contemporary public infrastructure in the country.

A collection of still images, video and extended interview clips at Ogwini Comprehensive Technical High School in Umlazi, Durban. Commenced as a university assignement to look into the public schooling system in South Africa. Which, sadly like a lot of things here still struggles with the lingering inequality created by Apartheid.

Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ztp0DkT39Rl0aodzWoCyEWXjZnVmcML7/view?usp=sharing