There are works that leave their mark, regardless of the passing time. An emblematic example is the work carried out in 2008 by the artist Kevin Lee in support of Unicef China. The project called “Invisible Child ”saw Lee as artistic director, in collaboration with the advertising agency Shanghai Ogilvy & Mather Advertisingone of the most prestigious internationally.
The goal? Bringing to light the condition of over one and a half million Chinese children forced to live in situations of serious social and economic unease, often also deprived of the most basic rights. At the center of the campaign a clear and powerful message: to report collective indifference to an entire forgotten generation.
The focus of the project consisted of a series of photographs that portrayed homeless children camouflaged in the urban scenario of Beijing. One of the most touching images showed a child sitting on a staircase, painted in such a way as to get confused with the background, to become almost invisible. Next to him a cartel in Chinese reported the inscription: “Don’t ignore me”.
Works of Urban camouflage with a very strong emotional impact, capable of shaking consciences and inspiring a concrete change. The visual, direct and disturbing message proved extremely effective: the campaign collected well 30,000 USD in just five days, funds intended to offer concrete assistance to the most vulnerable children.
Years later, the images of “Invisible Child ”they continue to speak. They remain visually and symbolically powerful, still capable of generating empathy today, asking uncomfortable questions and attracting attention to a plague that, unfortunately, does not only concern China.
