studio offering paintings in exchange for sleeping bags to combat coldness (Habibi's studio)
Freshening Up the News: Art and Compassion in Harburg
It's a chilly truth: numbers of homeless souls in Hamburg are on the rise. While the last official tally in 2018 reported 1,910 individuals without a roof over their heads, estimates from the social welfare community indicate a doubling of that figure. In the district of Harburg alone, it's said over 100 souls are struggling on the streets.
Eight years ago, a beacon of hope and warmth named Sly, from the Habibi Atelier, launched the initiative "Art against Cold", in a bid to bring some holiday cheer to these unfortunates. Since then, art enthusiasts in Harburg have had the chance to provide a bit of warmth to those enduring the chill of the streets.
This year, the city’s talented artists have donated a stunning 160 pieces, now adorning the walls of the Habibi Atelier in the Harburg Arcades since last Friday. Instead of cold hard cash, the art is acquired through donations of essentials – sleeping bags and hygiene kits.
Each artwork bears symbols representing the value of the donation required. The opening weekend was a hit: 15 works found new homes during the vernissage alone, with over 200 art-loving guests mingling over a glass of wine, discussing the cause and the art. DJane Asinabingh supplied foot-tapping tunes to add to the festive atmosphere. On Saturday, the theme was also "Tattoo against Cold": Three artists, such as Bernd Muss, traded small artworks for sleeping bag donations, inked directly onto willing skins.
Art fanatics still have a chance to make a difference by participating in Art against Cold, with the event running until December 20th. Donations can be dropped off at any time, with Sly and his team planning to distribute the Christmas presents for the less fortunate on December 22nd.
On that night, two buses will roam through Harburg and Hamburg, personally delivering sleeping bags and hygiene supplies to those in need. "An expedition that brings warmth, hope, and compassion to the coldest corners of the city," says Sly, the artist and organizer from Habibi-Atelier.
**Insights:
- Art Initiatives: Community art events like "Art against Cold" usually aim to engage the public, raise awareness about social issues, and promote discussions about social welfare.
- Participating Artists: Such events often involve local artists, students from art schools, or community groups.
- Impact on Homeless Population: Art events can lead to increased awareness, fundraising for shelters or supporting services, and fostering community engagement.
- Despite the surge in homeless individuals, with estimates suggesting a doubling of the 2018 figure in Hamburg, initiatives like the "Art against Cold" drive by Sly from Habibi Atelier offer a glimmer of hope.
- This year's Art against Cold event in Harburg has seen over 160 pieces of artwork donated by local artists, which can be acquired in exchange for essentials like sleeping bags and hygiene kits.
- The 2022 Art against Cold event, running until December 20th, aims to distribute Christmas presents to the less fortunate, with two buses planned to deliver sleeping bags and hygiene supplies to those in need on December 22nd.
- In addition to visual art, the event also features a "Tattoo against Cold" day, where artists trade small artworks for sleeping bag donations, offering an alternate, tangible way to contribute to the cause.
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