Ambitious mosaic champions diversity

Get involved: Above, some of the ‘micro’ images of Bermuda’s people that will make up a series of ‘macro’ images in the form of a video installation or ‘animated mosaic’. Below, the pop up photo booth that will be making appearances around the island. Visit www.facebook.com/wearenow.bda to find out how to get involved. *Photos by Nicola Muirhead

Designer Stratton Hatfield and Bermuda Sun photographer Nicola Muirhead are collaborating on the project — We Are Now — which will see them photograph hundreds of Bermuda’s people from the comfort of a pop up, travelling photo booth

The project, which is to be made public in the summer, aims to celebrate unity while highlighting social challenges and triumphs. 

Hundreds of colourful ‘micro’ images of Bermuda’s people and environment will be brought together to make up gigantic ‘macro’ images in the form of an ‘animated mosaic’ video installation.

These macro images will highlight challenges such as hunger, poverty and addiction as well as celebrating triumphs such as community events, sports and the connections made between the old and the young.

Hatfield, who has been evolving the idea for about two years, told the Bermuda Sun: “I’ve really been focusing on how we can create a unity piece in Bermuda and really illustrate the beautiful diversity on our island to exemplify that there is so much more than these generic terms of black and white. Our culture is made up of so many different ethnicities and heritages that make us Bermudian.”

Hatfield and Muirhead say they hope the We Are Now project will help to break down barriers and they invite everyone in Bermuda to be a part of regardless of race, background, age, orientation, social standing...

“There are so many Bermudians these days who say, ‘I’m Bermudian’ and I say ‘So am I, but where are your ancestors from?’,” said Hatfield.

“People don’t really realize that we all came from somewhere else. 

“A big part of this is trying to show that yes, we are all part of Bermuda and we are all different and that is beautiful. 

“That is what makes Bermuda so unique — that it is this big melting pot of all these different. 

“It’s about the connection we have as a community to this place that we call home. 

“This is not pro-Bermudian, it is pro-Bermuda. With all these issues of xenophobia we need to move beyond that. We have already documented visitors and expats, young locals, old locals everyone. We got two Australians the other day.”

Muirhead is excited about the prospect of helping to raise awareness of social challenges in Bermuda. 

“I was intrigued with Stratton’s concept because I feel like imagery is a powerful way of reflecting social issues or the current dynamics of a society. I thought what was powerful about this is that we are actually getting the people of Bermuda involved — a huge number of people will have a connection to it because they are a component of the final piece. 

“It aims to encourage people that they can take action with some of these issues, they can be involved as well.”

The name of the project by the pair — known as Aquarium Collective — came from a quote that Hatfield came across: “We Are Our Country, We are our land, We are our people, We are now.”

The photo booth is run out the back of Muirhead’s car and will be popping up around the island. The next pop up is due to take place this Saturday from 11am in St George’s town square (weather depending). 

To find out more about the project and where future pop up events will take place, join the Facebook page www.facebook.com/wearenow.bda