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CompassionArt: London launch, LICC
17th November 2008
A review of an event I didn't attend, by Craig Borlase
I was supposed to be there. I had an invite and everything. I think I was even supposed to say something about the book. Instead I was sat at home, feeling emptied-out by 12 hours of frantic running to the bathroom while my insides staged a riot.
Gutted? You could say so. I knew the night was going to be special – I knew that the moment it was announced. After all, CompassionArt is one of those ideas that's beautiful in its simplicity and ground-shaking in its potential. Write songs. Give the money away. Connect art and compassion. Transform poverty.
Monday evening's event was set up to showcase the story so far; from the songwriting retreat in January, the recordings in the spring and the creation of both the album and the book by the time the summer gave way to autumn. Everyone who might be able to help get the message out was invited to come along and leave feeling fully inspired about it all.
It was the Tuesday morning voicemail that told me things had worked out a little differently. Yes the place was full. Yes Israel, Martin and Graham Kendrick did their genius thing with a few of the tracks. And, yes, the story about this unlikely birth was told brilliantly, leaving people wanting to pass the message on.
But it wasn't just this remarkable album or inspirational book that people were buzzing about; it was the presence of representatives from four headline CompassionArt projects that really turned the magic up. From Ray of Hope were Juliet Pac and Gloria, from Stop The Traffik was Ruth Dearnley, representing Watoto was Chas Musgrave, and a message via dvd was played from David Meyer, Hand of Hope. Also in attendance was Ian Hamilton representing Compassion UK.
All of them spoke about the intense need they see around them; poverty in all its forms. They explained how they were inspired to make a difference, how their work is having life-changing results on communities and individuals that hardly ever make the news over here. And they told how – with the help of the money raised by CompassionArt – there will be more people transformed, more lives lifted up out of the mud of injustice.
They made it clear just how strong the link is between art and compassion.
That's what CompassionArt's all about – the link. The connection. The transformation. The fact that we can be the change we want to see in this world.
Am I sorry I missed the launch? Yes. But if you think that Monday was anything other than the opening seconds of the opening act you're mistaken; this thing's only just beginning and there's time yet for an army of us to get on board.
http://ecards.fiercedistribution.com/compassionart/whsmith/
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