MoodLaB: An Art Space for Bipolar Disorder | 5 released
People with bipolar disorder
Their voice, and face
Why don’t we use art to “talk” about it?
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Moodlab Project was kicked off in September 2016, with the core element of our photo shoot featuring community members whose lives are affected by bipolar disorder. Aspart of 9 elements, this is the foundation of this project, to use art to create a space for conversation, courage, and community connection and to bring people with bipolar disorder out of the darkness.
So we are partnering with Pere Ibanez (www.pereinbanez.com), who is a famous artist from Spain, to invite people into our studio for a photography session, and to learn their individual stories.
12 months have passed and we have taken the time to connect with the community members. We have currently completed 20 photos and only a few more need to be done before the entire collection will be complete. To date, we have released 5 photos in exhibitions and publications around the world - from the USA, Canada, India to China.
It is not just a photo shoot, but a process for the participants to be able to step up and advocate for bipolar disorder. These are people at our dinner table, but with a story that you might not know. Each photo is a symbol that no one should be alone; each photo is a triumph that we all can have a voice, even if it shakes us.
With this in mind, we invite you to engage with the pictures and hear the voices from each picture. We encourage you to keep an open mind as you might hear different things from these pictures.
The released photos have been published in art books, magazines, included in various exhibitions, and received international awards for photographic excellence. Each place these photos travel to raises awareness for bipolar disorder. We want tode-stigmatize bipolar disorder and start a conversation.
Moodlab photo on exhibition at LACDA in L.A USA, April 2017
The released photos and future updates can also be found on Pere Ibañez's website (www.pereibanez.com)
More than just a photoshoot
This story is special for us!
We received an application from Ugne Mikalajunaite applying to be part of the photoshoot; we received an email from her applying to volunteer for CandleX at the same time. We accepted both applications. Ever since November last year, she’s been working on Moodlab bringing more people into the studio, and she also had her own photo taken. This is the power of art, bringing people together, empowering us to be more than a scary diagnosis. This is the spirit of Moodlab project.
In September, we will have our 6th photo release. This is going to be her photo!
As we wrap up our photoshoot studio phase, now we are entering their personal stories phase. This is a process that will lead to our educational book, with photos, stories and facts about bipolar. This is scheduled to be completed by March 2018.
Community Engagement
Furthermore, it is important to note that this project is not for us or about us, but for all of the participants, Beijing community, and people beyond it. We hope that the courage and the openness of the models, who are your colleagues, friends, or just passers-by, will inspire you as well.
Therefore, it means that we wish to invite you, the community members, in the promotion and community engagement. We encourage you to speak out about mental health in your circles and share the news about our project. This way you will also become a part of the campaign, which in-turn will reach more people, and raise the awareness in China and beyond.
If you want to talk to us about being engaged with MoodLaB, reach us at: info@candlex.cn
Moodlab Emotional Wellbeing workshop at UCCA, Dec 2016
You Can Share and Inspire
Social Media
Follow. Like. Share and re-share once again. From our WeChat account to the photographer Pere Ibañez's Facebook page（https://www.facebook.com/pereibanezphotography/）, there are plenty of ways. It is the best way to get the latest updates and share the news with your friends on Facebook wall, Instagram feed, or WeChat moment. Be our guest! Speak about it online and offline. Do not be afraid of raising mental health-awareness everywhere you are, as that is the best way to reduce the taboo and increase the general knowledge!
Fundraising
Recently, we have opened an account on Generosity(https://www.generosity.com/education-fundraising/please-support-our-bipolar-disorder-project) and on Zhongchou to raise funds for the ultimate goal of the Moodlab Project - the Art Book for Bipolar Disorder Education, which will include selected photos, stories of the models, and educational information on bipolar disorder. We would be immensely grateful if you shared the link with your friends to help us get the needed financial resources! At the same time, if you have a WeChat Wallet account, you can directly support us on our platform.
"read more" at the bottom for our bipolar disorder art book information and donation.
Events In order to heal and build resilience, we strongly encourage you to attend our other CandleX events: Travel to Grow- National Holiday to Thailand
CandleX’s Resources Read CandleX psychoeducation articles to learn essential knowledge on depression CandleX Classroom https://www.candlex.cn/classroom
Depression stories from our community members CandleX Column | My Story with Depression https://www.candlex.cn/my-story-with-depression
A CandleX’s production on Depression The Tiny Little Box | A Documentary on Depression |