Remember Myanmar Interactive Image
Press Release and picture story
London, 31 January, 2023: The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and the Myanmar Accountability Project, (MAP), have released a digital portrait of Ko Jimmy, the democracy activist and prisoner of conscience who was executed along with three others in Yangon on 25 July last year.
The interactive and iconic image is made up of nearly seven thousand tiny digital headshots of people killed by the junta, many of them documented by AAPP. It was released to mark the second anniversary of the failed coup on 1 February 2021.
According to AAPP Director, Ko Bo Kyi, “In the 728 days since the military junta began its coup attempt, thousands have been killed and tens of thousands detained. Whilst the youth generation led this Revolution with ingenious ways, it is they who paid the cost. This image is dedicated to Ko Jimmy, Phyo Zayar Thaw, Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw, and all those who sacrificed their lives. We must never forget those who paid the ultimate price in the fight against junta rule.”
The digital artwork was created by the Portuguese artist, Paulo Andringa.
“Andringa’s ingenious creation is a reminder that each statistic has a face, an individual life that have been destroyed by Myanmar’s genocidal junta,” said MAP director, Chris Gunness. “By holding a computer cursor over each image, information is revealed about the person killed and the time and manner of their death. Some are children and babies. Each has a dignity and a destiny which we memorialise on this tragic anniversary with the unveiling of this inspirational image of Ko Jimmy.”
On December 10 2022, to mark World Human Rights Day, the image was projected onto the British Houses of Parliament and formed the backdrop of a candlelight vigil at London’s Marble Arch.
In a rare interview, Ma Nilar, Ko Jimmy’s widow said “from the 8888 Uprising when he began his journey, to this Spring Revolution where he drew his final breath, he remained resolute in his conviction and stance. He died the way he lived to the very end. For this, Ko Jimmy will forever live on in all of our hearts.”
Ends
The interactive image which can be reproduced free of charge and without restriction, can be found here: Remember Myanmar Interactive Image
For picture editors: images of the events in London to mark World Human Rights Day are here: Candlelight Vigil Gallery
For TV and video editors: video which is free and without copyright restricgtions can be found here: UK Parliament Lit Up with image of Myanmar Dissident to mark World Human Rights Day
For further information, please contact Chris Gunness at cgunness@outlook.com or on WhatsApp/Signal, 07587698990.
ends