Beijing Hutong

There were a few pictures left over from my project so I decided to go and visit a neighbourhood in the South of Beijing. There is a hutong around there that doesn' t see many visitors and gave me a sense of what I could imagine the city used to be like. The residents were very welcoming and seemed to be genuinely interested in the pictures.

I asked them if they would like a picture on their wall. They said yes very quickly, and in return they explained that I had to help them with a project they were in the middle of. I agreed.

LA to Beijing

The help they wanted was to tar their roof and lay tiles down. I was happy to see that the job was almost complete cause it was +34 and there were no clouds in sight.

Original Photo: Jamaica

I thought that the wood provided a complimentary background for the photo so I asked this man if I could put a one on his wall. He liked the photo but wanted to see what it looked like hung up on the wall first.

Original Photo: Esfahan, Iran

When I began putting this photo up I knew there was 2 or 3 people hanging around. To my surprise, I turned around to see a crowd gathered, wondering what was going on...

Original Photo: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

I noticed the sign directing me to the police station, I was curious of what they thought so I ventured in that direction. I asked them if I could put up a photo and they said, why not. I asked anywhere, they responded with a shrug of the shoulders. So, I put it here. We had a good laugh then they told that would probably not be the best idea.

Chose here instead... Original Photo: Canada

Original Photo: Esfahan, Iran

Dignity in Labour: Beijing 2/2

Here is the second set of photos from the series Dignity in Labour straight from the streets of Beijing. Dignity in Labour was inspired partly by one of my favorite graffiti artists (Stage One WCB) and his piece entitled Dignity in Labour that he did on a wall in North Vancouver in 1999. It was also influenced by all of the laborers I met during my travels around the world. I wanted others to get an understanding of their jobs and the vital role they play in allowing society to function in working order. Beijing seemed to be the ideal setting with a great majority of the population being in the labour sector and many of them leaving their rural homes in search of the dream in the big city.

Dignity in Labour

As the laboriously intensive day draws to an end, these farmers outside of Inle Lake, Burma are all smiles. Jobs are scarce in the country, agriculture is one of the top industries employing nearly 60 percent of the labour force and accounting for 65 percent of the country's GDP. Rice, beans and opiates are among the most heavily farmed with opium being shipped to many different countries to fund the military Junta's rule of the country.

辛苦的一天即将结束，在缅甸茵莱湖边，一群农民微笑着。在这个就业机会稀缺的国家60%， 和国内生产总值的65%。大米，豆类和鸦片是最要的国家种植。 鸦片被运到许多不同的国家来为军政府融资。

Photograph 14/18

Dignity in Labour

A wide and welcoming smile conceals the reality of a very strenuous and long work day on the streets of Brooklyn. This woman is an immigrant of Jamaica works in a metal scrap yard in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The long hours and physical demand of the job makes it one of the most labour intensive jobs on the streets of New York.

这个无虑的大咧咧笑容掩饰着布鲁克林的街上艰巨和工作时间长的现实。这名妇女是一个在布鲁克林Red Hook金属废料场工作的牙买加移民。漫长的工作时间和艰巨的体力劳动使其成为纽约街头劳力最密集的工作之一。

Photograph 3/18

Dignity in Labour

Picking up her daily rations in bread provided from the Cuban government and other necessities for the house, this woman makes her way back home to take care of her 3 children. She lives in a tiny apartment in Old Havana. Although jobs across Cuba are scarce she is happy to be able to raise three children and is confident that they will be able to see a better, more prosperous Cuba by the time they are older.

这个女人正在领取古巴政府每日配给的面包和其他必需品的房子她日常口粮，来照顾家里的 3 的孩子。她住在老哈瓦那的一座小公寓里。虽然在古巴的工作机会很少，但她很高兴能抚养三个孩子，并对他们将来能够看到更好、 更繁荣的古巴很有信心。

Photograph 11/18

I stumbled upon this family in an old Hutong in South Beijing. Their house was one of the last settlements left standing. They wanted a photo on their building, so I gave them the option to choose whichever photo they wanted for their house.

Dignity in Labour

Perched atop a rice terrace on the outskirts of Luang Prabang, Laos, this farmer teaches his son the tricks of the trade while they plant and harvest rice on their large plot of land. The family lives in a hut that overlooks their field and survives off of food produced on their own farm. Farms such as these are scattered across Laos and South East Asia with many people relying on their personal production of agriculture as their main source of food.

在老挝琅勃拉邦市郊的一片广阔的水稻梯田上，一个农民正在把他谋生的伎俩传授给他儿子，教会他如何在这片水田上种植和收获水稻。这家人住在面向梯田的一个小草屋里， 以自家田里产的稻谷为食。 在老挝和东南亚有很多这样的农民家庭， 依靠自家种的农作物为其主要的食物来源。

Photograph 6/18

Dignity in Labour

This man takes a quick break from the action to pose for a photograph. His job is to paint the weathered vessels that land in the Kaohsiung harbour in Taiwan. The port generates massive amounts of money for the local economy and provides thousands of jobs to the citizens of Kaohsiung.

这位老人为这张相稍作小息。老人的工作是为停泊在高雄港，饱经沧桑的船只重新油漆。高雄港为地方经济生成大量的金钱，并给高雄市民提供数以千计的就业机会。

Photograph 2/18

Dignity in Labour

With so many talented artists coming together in a single space, Imam Square in Esfahan, Iran is exploding with vibrant colors and ideas. The government suppresses most of these ideas that would be verbally expressed, so the artist tuare as hard to come by in Iran as expressing yourself.

在伊朗，伊斯法罕的伊玛目广场， 才华洋溢的艺术家聚集，四周都爆发着鲜艳的色彩和灵感。政府极力抑制这些将会被口头表达出来的思想，所以想要表达自己在伊朗是很难的。

Photograph 13/18

Dignity in Labour

Getting set for some relaxation before his boat departs on a 3 month fishing trip of the high seas, this captain seems confident that his crew will come back with an exceptional haul of the ocean's treasures. The industry generates around 3 billion USD per year, with about 1.2 million metric tons caught in 2004, providing a livelihood for 140 000 Taiwanese households.

在这次3个月的深海捕鱼之行出发前，船长显得信心十足，他坚信他的船员们都能带回不斐的收获。该行业每年约产30亿美元，2004年收获了约120万公吨，为140万个台湾家庭解决了生计。

Photograph 15/18

Dignity in Labour

These women carry large sacks of produce on their head to and from various markets around the Burmese capital of Yangon. With over 10 million hectares of arable land, Burma relies heavily on their agricultural sector to produce the countries food and jobs. Having one of the world’s most violent and repressive regimes dictating freedom of speech and labour laws, both food and jobs are scarce in this country.

这些妇女头顶着麻袋，来去缅甸首都仰光周围的各种市场。缅甸有超过 10 万公顷耕地，国家依靠农业来提供食物以及就业机会。 缅甸政府是全世界最暴力和专制的政权，控制着这个国家的言论自由以及劳动法。 所以食物和工作又是这个国家所稀缺的。

Photograph 4/18

Dignity in Labour

On most days you can catch Will down on the boardwalk of Venice Beach. He is there promoting and hustling his artwork to people who come down to the beach. Some days can be quite prosperous while others may yield little profits. But that is the life of a hard working artist, no matter where you are in the world.

在大多数日子里，在威尼斯海滩的海滨长廊上可以找到Will。他通常都在那里向游客们兜售他自己的艺术品。有时他能赚到不少钱，但也有赚不到钱的时候。但是，这是一个奋起的艺术家的生活，无论你在世界的哪头。

Photograph 12/18

照片 12/18

Dignity in Labour

Outdated equipment and long hours are everyday hassles that the construction workers in Iran must face. The workers have long been overdue for updated technology and equipment in their jobs. With a labour force of over 25 million people, the Iranian government was forced to come up with a proposal to ensure the well-being of laborers and has set forth a vision for 2025 to improve the socio-economic well-being of the people.

设备陈旧，工作时间长，是伊朗的建筑工人必须面对的日常麻烦。工人们仍旧使用早该更新的技术和设备。随着劳动力超过25万，伊朗政府被迫提出议和确保劳动者利益和福祉的草案，并以长远的目光制定了2025年社会经济福利的打算。

Photograph 17/18

Dignity in Labour: Beijing 1/2

Here is my latest series from the streets of Beijing. Dignity in Labour was inspired partly by one of my favorite graffiti artists (Stage One WCB) and his piece entitled Dignity in Labour that he did on a wall in North Vancouver in 1999. It was also influenced by all of the laborers I met during my travels around the world. I wanted others to get an understanding of their jobs and the vital role they play in allowing society to function in working order. Beijing seemed to be the ideal setting with a great majority of the population being in the labour sector and many of them leaving their rural homes in search of the dream in the big city.

Thanks to Chingy for the translations and to Moxely for the hookup.

Dignity in Labour

This fisherman attempts to carve up a 200 kg shark in the bustling port in Muscat, Oman. In recent years, the Omani fishing industry has expanded to supply the greater demand that has been placed by countries from around the world. The workers at this pier are vital to the Omani economy and play a valuable role in the worldwide fishing industry.

这个渔夫试图在繁华的阿曼马斯喀特港口膛开一条200公斤的鲨鱼。近年来，阿曼渔业扩大到供应来自世界各国的大量需求。该码头工人对阿曼的经济发展非常重要。他们在世界各地的捕鱼业中也发挥着宝贵的作用。

Photograph 1/18

Original Photo Location: Muscat, Oman

Found this discarded frame in the alley and it was a perfect fit for the photo but I had no place to hang the explanation until.....

I found a volunteer. She held it for people passing by wondering what was going on. The reward? Ice cream

Dignity in Labour

At the age of twelve, this girl and three of her friends carry large stacks of bricks on their heads up four flights of stairs. These girls are forced into labour to help support their families and must discontinue school to do so. Between the scorching heat of the Burmese sun and the constant trips up and down the flight of stairs, this girl somehow manages a smile.

年馑十二岁，这个女孩就和她的三个朋友们头顶着一大堆砖往四楼爬。 这些女孩由于家庭贫困只能退学出来挣钱。在缅甸灼热的太阳下，以记不清上上下下跑了多少次，但这个纯真的女孩仍然微笑。

Photograph 7/18

Original Photo Location: Mandalay, Burma

The response to this project was overwhelming, with people taking time out of their days to read the stories and ask questions.

Dignity in Labour

In many parts of Jamaica, the locals rely on tourism as their only sources of income. As this man explained to me, there is little help from the government to promote other sectors of business other than tourism. The tourism sector is over saturated with vendors and it has become a do or die business in some parts. As he puts the last coats of lacquer on Bob Marley figures he reminisces about days of old when he still could support his entire family on his wages.

在牙买加，许多当地人只依靠旅游作为他们唯一的经济来源。这个人告诉我，政府并没有帮助促进旅游业以外的其他业务。 旅游业中的小商贩超饱和，在某些地区它已成为不做就等吃西北风的地步。一边上这鲍勃 • 马利人像上最后一层漆，他一边回忆着那个他仍能用他的工资支持他的整个家庭的年代。

Photograph 10/18

Original Photo Location: Jamaica

All Smiles

Dignity in Labour

This fisherman is set to sail off onto a 3 month journey. The boat will venture into international waters along the Vietnam coast rounding the South China Sea before it returns to Taiwan. 45% of the catch is exported to various countries with big-eye tuna, yellow-fin tuna, tilapia and squid being the major exports.

渔民将出发航行3个月。船将沿着越南海岸驶入国际水域，然后在中国南海掉头回台湾。其中45%的捕获会出口到世界各国， 其中主要有大眼金枪鱼，黄鳍金枪鱼，罗非鱼和鱿鱼。

Photograph 16/18

Original Photo Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

People just kept coming to check it out

Dignity in Labour

After a strenuous shift in the bustling market located on the outskirts of Kaohsiung, this butcher takes a well-deserved break. His shift starts at 3 am and finishes around noon. He is regarded as one of the top butchers at the market and is quite popular with the locals.

在位于高雄郊区的繁华市场工作了一整天后，屠夫稍事休息。他的一天工作从凌晨 3 点开始知道次日正午才结束。他可是这个市场上最受欢迎的屠夫。

Photograph 5/18

Original Photo Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

I asked these people if I could put up a photo, they not only let me, but hooked me up with some watermelon on a +34 day! Beijing Hospitality

This man takes a brief break in the action of repainting a boat to pose for a photograph. The ship building and repair yards in Kaohsiung, Taiwan are a vital part of the economy and provide thousands with jobs. This man was perched atop a slim piece of wood, gently balanced by two ladders and twenty feet in the air.

Original Photo Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Dignity in Labour

This man enjoys a quick cup of tea on his break from rebuilding one of Yazd's many old buildings. The restoration and maintenance is vital to keep the ancient city's history alive for many years to come. One of the world's oldest cities it has been visited by Marco Polo in 1272 and provided a safe haven for those fleeing the destruction of Persia at the hands of Genghis Khan and his warriors.

这名男子正在重建亚兹德的许多老建筑之一， 在他短暂的休息时间里喝一杯茶。修复和维护古建筑是一项至关重要的保持古城的历史的工程，让古文化流传下去。这是世界上最古老的城市之一，马可波罗在1272年是访问过，之后，这做城市又成为那些逃离成吉思汗和他的战士摧毁波斯时的避风港。

Photograph 18/18照片1 8/18

Original Photo Location: Yazd, Iran

Got a nice treat and found a small train yard in Beijing.

Dignity in Labour

As these women take a quick lunch break their contribution to the days work is evident from the train tracks that are dug up from the ground and stacked into a large pile off to the side. They are helping transform Kaohsiung from an industrialized city into a modern one. Many of the old industries are being replaced by modern technologies, bike paths, parks, subway lines and an overall 'greener' lifestyle is being promoted and is made possible by workers such as these.

这些妇女正在午餐休息。 但从那一大堆从地里挖出来的铁轨显然可以看出她们已经辛苦了大半天天了。她们正在为高雄市从工业化城市转变成一个现代化城市作贡献。很多旧工业已被现代技术所取代。 自行车道， 公园， 地铁线和整体 '绿色环保' 的生活方式正是由这些工人所兴建。

Photograph 8/18

Original Photo Location: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Dignity in Labour

This man works to dig out a plumbing problem with pipes located far beneath the ground. In many countries heavy machinery is not a viable option, so primitive like tools are used to dig up asphalt to reach the pipes.

Although Iranian workers have, in theory, a right to form labor unions, there is, in actuality, no union system in the country. The right of workers to strike is generally not respected by the state, and since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, strikes have often been met by police action. With no real labour rights, this man is likely to make the minimum wage of $303 USD a month.

这个人工程正在挖开地面去检修一条远位于地面深处的管道。在很多国家重型机械不是一个可行的办法，所以只能用原始工具来挖开沥青检查管道。在理论上来说伊朗工人是有权组成工会的。 但在现实中，该国是没有一个工会系统的。一般来说工人是没有权利罢工的，自 1979 年伊斯兰革命以来，罢工往往会遭到警方的制止。没有实质的劳工权利，这个工人大有可能每个月只挣得了个最低工资，也就是 303 美元。

Photograph 9/18

Original Photo Location: Yazd, Iran