Journey In support of the Helen Bamber Foundation November 10, 2009

Mayor Bloomberg, Actress Emma Thompson and a host of other very special guests, artists and curators will be launching a unique and provocative art installation depicting the ‘Journey’ of women trafficked across the globe into the sex industry.



Located on Washington Place, off Washington Square Park, from Tuesday, November 10th until Sunday, November 15th, the installation will be hosted by Emma Thompson, Activist Sam Roddick, Human Rights Campaigner Helen Bamber OBE and other members of the Journey team.



Journey is a ground-breaking art installation comprising seven shipping containers each telling the powerful and personal story of a woman who was trafficked into sexual slavery. It powerfully depicts the seven stages of the brutal reality experienced by such women: Hope, Journey, Uniform, Bedroom, Customer, Stigma and Resurrection.



Championed by Oscar-winning actress and writer, Emma Thompson, Coco de Mer founder, activist and entrepreneur, Sam Roddick as well as the New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Journey’s arrival in Manhattan celebrates the third leg of its tour across the globe and its inaugural visit to the United States.



This profound piece has galvanized the artistic skills of a highly experienced and talented team assembled from a range of disciplines including: Turner Prize-winning artist, Anish Kapoor; internationally acclaimed artist, Antony Micallef; Oscar-winning costume designer, Sandy Powell; one of Britain’s leading graffiti artists, MODE2; BAFTA-nominated Art Director, Michael Howells; playwright, Simon Stephens; photographer, James Ostrer; Royal graphic designer, Mike Dempsey; V&A award-winning illustrator, Laura Carlin; trafficked woman, Elena Varga and Lifetime Achievement Award-winner in Human Rights, Helen Bamber OBE.



Emma Thompson said: “People just don’t want to know about this issue – it’s hidden, it’s criminal, it’s perverse and yes, it’s happening right on your own doorstep. Journey is a remarkable piece of collaborative, creative and confrontational art that profoundly challenges people’s perspective. Come and see it for yourself and then tell us if you agree….”



Mayor Bloomberg said: “Journey brings human trafficking out of the shadows – I hope its arrival in New York sparks a conversation among New Yorkers about this pernicious form of exploitation. My Administration has used coordinated enforcement, tough new laws, and partnerships with service providers to fight human trafficking. Our efforts are overseen by a task force of police, prosecutors, service providers, advocacy groups and academics who welcome Journey and the unique attention it will bring this inhumane and criminal activity.”



Journey opens to the public on Washington Place, off Washington Square Park, on Tuesday, November 10th. Hours of Operation are: Tuesday, November 10th – Friday, November 13th 12pm-8pm, Saturday, November 14th 11am-7pm and Sunday, November 15th 10am-3pm. Produced in partnership with the City of New York and the City of London.



For further information please contact

Christina Stejskal/Allen Eichhorn - PMK/HBH Public Relations

212-373-6115

Christina.Stejskal@pmkhbh.com/Allen.Eichhorn@pmkhbh.com

or Kerstin Shields at Out of the Blue Communications Ltd on +44 (0) 20 7242 0300

Official Website: http://www.helenbamber.org/news_article.php?newsid=30