100 THINGS// Research and Collect. Conflict Diamonds. Words.

Here is a list of 100 words related to Blood Diamonds, they are all linked to the research I have done so far and will help me when looking back at my research when I have to decide what to do next!

1) Diamond
2)Blood
3)Conflict
4) Mining
5) Poverty
6) Abuse
7) Wealth
8) Money
9) Power
10) Greed
11) Africa
12) Beauty
13) Perception
14)Falsehood
15) China
16) Israel
17) De Beers
18) Kimberly Project
19) War
20) Death
21) Mud
22) Marange
23) Rebels
24) Government
25) Mugabe
26) Gun
27) Machete
26) Dismemberment
27) Ring
28) Engagement
29) Wedding
30) Cutting
31) Dirty
32) Stones
33) Pickaxe
34) Child
35) Labour
36) Wage
37) Homeless
38) Torture
39) Genocide
40) Religion
41) Family
42) Military
43) Zimbabwe
44) Sierra-Leone
45) Ivory Coast
46) Angola
47) DRC
48) Nigeria
49) Liberation
50) Colonialism
51) Trade
52) Polishing
53) Canada
54) Russia
55) Armenia
56) Campbell
57) Double-Standard
58) Loyal
59) Jeweller
60) Jewellery
61) Colour
62) Clarity
63) Carat
64) Cut
65) Black
66) Hands
67) Destroy
68) Education
69) Aids
70) Hiv
71) Water
72) Pollution
73) Deforestation
74) Unregulated
75) Murder
76) Smuggling
78) Independence
79) Price
80) Selling
81) Witness
82) Global
83) Rare
84) Crisis
85) Laundering
86) Human
87)Rights
88) Abuse
89) World
90) News
91) Report
92) Law
93) International
94) Network
95) Transport
96) Politics
97) Officials
98) Arrested
99) Illegal
100) Cost

Colour Theory Experiments// Tone

"The contrast of light and dark is formed by the juxtaposition of light and dark values. This could be a monochromatic composition."

To experiment with different tones I simply placed the objects on a background of a similar colour and worked with that scale. Different tones of each object will effect the way you view the object, making it stand out or shrink back into a more 'flattened' image.
I started with the yellow scale, it is interesting to note that the last yellow image shoes an object of very similar colour to the background making it almost indistinguishable from the background, while the first image is more clear.

Colour Theory Experiments// Temperature

"The contrast is formed by the juxtaposition of hues considered 'warm' or 'cool.' This is often the easiest contrast to achieve a perceived a 3D effect due to the advancing and receding characteristics of most warm colours in relation to cool colours."

All I have don here is find all of the warm coloured card (reds, oranges, yellows) and placed them under the the cool coloured objects (blue, purple). I them switched this configuration over with the warm on top and cool underneath. I also did some experiemtns aligning warm and cool coloured card underneath the objects to the photos could display the interaction with the colour of the object.

Colour Theory Experiments// Simultaneous Contrast

"In such cases, colours seem to repel one another and vibrate as the eye tries to bring them closer to their precise complementary colours. The use of such contrasts makes color compositions livelier and more interesting."

This task was similar to the complimentary colours experiments. This is because the colours should be very close to these in theory. I basically just used a colour wheel to find colours that were close to, but weren't, complimentary colours to create the background, I then added another simultaneous contrast colour as the object on top of these.

100 THINGS// Research and Collect. Conflict Diamonds. Articles.

This was by far the most time consuming part of the brief. Finding 100 articles referring to conflict/ blood diamonds.

But I learnt so much more about them as a result. For example only 1% of current export diamonds today would be classified as 'blood diamonds' however this is only because of a legal loophole as the true number of diamonds linked to slave labour, mass killings, etc is a much higher percentage. This is because blood diamonds can technically only come from areas which are 'rebel held', this was common during the 70's, 80's and 90's when rebel uprisings were widespread in sub-Saharan Africa. What we see today are similar images from countries like Zimbabwe, DRC and The Ivory Coast but because it is the Government that carries out the atrocities the diamonds remain technically 'clean'. This is exactly what happened in the Zimbabwean Marange Mine where 200 people were killed recently by attack helicopters and dogs. A torture camp still exists there today and those who still work there are paid about $1 a day (strong males) in terrible conditions, yet the Kimberley Process has passed diamonds from this mine as clean, meaning you could easily be buying these diamonds on the high street. There are also many reports of how easy it has been for officials to forge certificates and many of these articles refer to the mass failings of the Kimberley Process.

100 ARTICLES - In order of usefulness. (bold means extra important)

1) http://www.virtueinaction.com/2007/VIA_Diamonds.pdf

2) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/17/blood-diamonds-robert-mugabe-zimbabwe

3) http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2012-01-03-zim-gems-clean--diamond-colleges/

4) http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/09/us-diamonds-conflict-idUSTRE7B819C20111209

5) http://www.alternet.org/story/153396/child_labor,_torture_and_rape%3A_attempts_to_regulate_the_brutal_diamond_industry_failing/

6) http://www.frostillustrated.com/full.php?sid=9642

7) http://www.themarknews.com/articles/7907-video-the-battle-against-blood-diamonds

8) http://www.azomining.com/news.aspx?newsID=5628

9) http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5ifZcEjYP3y-Id19j4JsQw-sDNo1w?docId=CNG.a8635b15b68bf9aeb87b85f601aa964d.361

10) http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2011-12-29-sanctions-on-diamond-companies-not-beneficial-to-zim/

11) http://in.reuters.com/article/2011/12/09/diamonds-conflict-idINDEE7B80FT20111209

12) http://af.reuters.com/article/southAfricaNews/idAFL5E7N64RD20111209?sp=true

13) http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/robert-mugabe-makes-poll-plans-to-bury-power-sharing/story-e6frg6ux-1226223334204

14) http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/bimbos-blood-diamonds-and-bringing-the-truth-to-light-14903446.html

15) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-28/smuggled-diamond-revenue-flows-to-mugabe-s-zimbabwe-ahead-of-2011-election.html

16) http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.asp?id=38994

17) http://www.diamondne.ws/2011/12/20/security-council-extends-mandate-of-panel-of-experts-on-sanctions-on-diamond-rich-liberia/

18) http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/africa/news/article_1486010.php/HRW_Mugabe-loyal_military_pocketing_Zimbabwes_diamond_wealth_

19) http://www.diamonds.net/news/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=38212&ArticleTitle=Partnership+Africa+Canada+Commits+to+KP

20) http://www.diamonds.net/News/NewsItem.aspx?ArticleID=38271&ArticleTitle=Competitive+NGO%E2%80%99s+

21) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michelle-chen/conflict-diamonds-human-rights_b_1141080.html

22) http://cmvlive.com/life-style-a-fashion/life-style/the-politics-of-buying-an-engagement-ring

23) http://theconversation.edu.au/north-koreas-basketcase-economy-is-built-on-drugs-weapons-and-fakes-4845

24) http://allafrica.com/stories/201112190861.html

25) http://www.israelidiamond.co.il/english/News.aspx?boneID=918&objID=10392

26) http://www.voanews.com/english/news/African-Governments-to-Assert-Greater-Control-Over-Mining-Industries-135824593.html

27) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-13/pure-diam-of-dubai-expects-approval-for-zimbabwe-diamond-sales.html

28) http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/05/world/africa/conflict-diamonds-explainer/

29) http://www.wbur.org/npr/143975840/new-law-aims-to-shine-light-on-conflict-metals

30) http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-12-20/surat/30537584_1_jail-term-blood-diamond-chief-judicial-court

31) http://truthdive.com/2011/12/18/Blood-diamonds-could-pay-for-Mugabe-s-election-terror-campaign-against-opponents.html

32) http://feelgoodstyle.com/2011/12/15/conflict-free/

33) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-07/zimbabwe-says-it-will-sell-its-marange-diamonds-herald-reports.html

34) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-05/global-witness-quits-kimberley-process-over-zimbabwe-gem-sales.html

35) http://electronicintifada.net/content/diamond-industrys-double-standard-israel/10102

36) http://electronicintifada.net/content/israels-blood-diamonds/8754

37) http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2011/1214/Africa-Rising-With-film-school-can-Sierra-Leone-change-Blood-Diamond-image

38)  http://www.thepatrioticvanguard.com/spip.php?article6323

39) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-11-03/kimberley-process-may-make-decision-on-zimbabwean-diamond-exports-tomorrow.html

40) http://www.businesslive.co.za/incoming/2011/12/13/zim-diamond-miners-added-to-us-sanctions-list

41) http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=106276

42) http://news.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474980924772

43) http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15612492,00.html

44) http://www.freedomnewspaper.com/Homepage/tabid/36/mid/367/newsid367/7127/Gambia--Breaking-News--Jailed-Russian-Viktor-Bout-Helps-African-Dictator--Jammeh-To-Buy-Plane-To-Traffic-WeaponsAmbassador-Sey-/Default.aspx

45) http://www.theblaze.com/stories/meet-general-butt-naked-the-cannibalistic-african-warlord-turned-christian-evangelist/

46) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-15/kimberly-process-will-travel-to-zimbabwe-to-certify-diamonds-for-export.html

47) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2000/jul/18/andrewosborn

48) http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=mJRIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gQkNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5204,3482576&dq=conflict-diamonds&hl=en

49) http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/05/world/africa/conflict-diamonds-explainer/

50) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-13/sierra-leone-s-diamond-and-gold-shipments-rise-in-may-central-bank-says.html

51) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-12/angola-s-manuel-vicente-to-run-sonangol-for-three-more-years-1-.html

52) http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/111029-rare-earth-crisis-innovate-or-be-crushed-by-china

53) http://www.jewelryne.ws/general-assembly-speakers-praise-kimberly-process-for-significantly-reducing-scope-of-conflict-diamond-trade-say-initiative-too-important-to-fail/

54) http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-12-12/portugal-holds-talks-with-angola-to-resolve-diamond-mine-dispute.html

55) http://www.cocorioko.net/?p=21085

56) http://www.rnw.nl/africa/bulletin/african-diamond-producers-slam-watchdog-zimbabwe-gems

57) http://www.minnpost.com/globalpost/2011/08/31/31215/zimbabwe_selling_blood_diamonds_report

58) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-16027011

59) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14468116

60) http://news.bbc.co.uk/panorama/hi/front_page/newsid_9557000/9557304.stm

61) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14377215

62) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14121191

63) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-10908436

64) http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2010/12/2010121614107545343.html

65)  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-10840117

66) http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/11/20111131369418349.html

67) http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2011/07/2011721857193676.html

 68) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10512114

69) http://www.africanews.com/site/Zimbabwe_Blood_diamonds_go_on_sale/list_messages/34014

70) http://www.africanews.com/site/Zimbabwe_in_Kimberly_Process_boycott/list_messages/36199

71) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10411137

72) http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2011/12/20111251575933726.html

73) http://www.africanews.com/site/Angola_licences_19_000_mining_firms/list_messages/2364

74) http://www.africanews.com/site/Zimbabwe_Vice_President_implicated_in_blood_diamonds/list_messages/23177

75) http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10373247

76) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7104465.stm

77) http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/10/2011101182548937118.html

78) http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/24/business/sierra-leone-ernest-bai-koroma/index.html?iref=allsearch

79) http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/08/30/rights-group-calls-on-foreign-banks-to-investigate-blood-diamonds/

80) http://www.africanews.com/site/S_Leone_chases_US_for_stolen_jewels/list_messages/25744

81) http://www.africanews.com/site/Zimbabwe_6_diamond_mining_officials_arrested/list_messages/35851

82) http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/12/05/pkg-rivers-uk-blood-diamond.cnn?iref=allsearch

83) http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/12/05/ctw-intv-annie-dunnebacke-global-witness-blood-diamonds.cnn?iref=allsearch

84) http://edition.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/12/07/intv-diamond-kimberly-process.cnn?iref=allsearch

85) http://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/08/05/questions-answers-africas-blood-diamonds-originated-preventative-measures/

86) http://www.africanews.com/site/Zimbabwe_gets_71m_from_diamond_auction/list_messages/34062

87) http://www.africanews.com/site/US_gem_trade_group_bans_Zimbabwe_diamonds/list_messages/34111

88) http://www.diamondne.ws/2011/06/25/civil-society-expresses-vote-of-no-confidence-in-conflict-diamond-scheme/

89) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2010/aug/10/blood-diamond-testimony?INTCMP=SRCH

90) http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2009/may/06/congo-human-rights?INTCMP=SRCH

91) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2000/dec/20/sierraleone.davidpallister?INTCMP=SRCH

92) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2010/jul/23/world-diamond-trade-map?INTCMP=SRCH

93) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/13/ratcliffe-naomi-campbell-blood-diamonds?INTCMP=SRCH

94) http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/aug/10/blood-diamonds-fashion-tale-of-tyrannies?INTCMP=SRCH

95) http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/jan/21/india.theobserver?INTCMP=SRCH

96) http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/04/13/idUK22527662920110413

97) http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/15/zimbabwe-diamonds-idUKL6E7NF2PG20111215

98) http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/12/05/uk-ivorycoast-gbagbo-icc-idUKTRE7B40WN20111205

99) http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/11/30/us-jewellery-nigeria-chrisaire-idUKTRE7AT0ZE20111130

100) http://uk.reuters.com/article/2011/10/14/uk-liberia-election-kingmaker-idUKTRE79D4KK20111014

101) http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x99311_zimbabwe-army-massacre-civilians-in_news

^^this last video is especially relevant for this project, although it is reported that the diamonds are being sold illegally, changes were made by the Kimberley process and they are now legally traded.^^

Colour Theory Experiments// Compliments

"Complementary colours occupy opposite positions on the colour wheel. When they are mixed, the result is a neutral grey-black. When adjacent, complementary colours mutually intensify their luminosity to a maximum."

This series basically shows that the ironically named complimentary colours push each-other forward, making the object stand out with almost luminous properties on the page. Here I have taken a few objects and placed them on top of their complimentary coloured cards.

Colour Theory Experiments// Hue

"This results when pure colours are used in random combinations. White and black can further enhance the vivid effect."

Here I decided to use the colour wheel and experiment with highly contrasting hues. The card represents the contrasting hues and the object sits on top to give an indication (and mediator) of the effects. Most of the card pieces are complimentary colour again. The point of this exercise was to identify how one colour sits on another colour and how the two can interact, and how well the two work together.