Directed by MAKAPOON and produced by Geoff McLean

This video was sent over to the Broken Social Scene crew. Its a mash up created by someone who wanted to remain anonymous in response to the June, 2010 G20 summit in Toronto.

Photo by Suzanne Dieter

Twilight Frequencies: Where did you go to school, and what were some lessons you have incorporated in your work today?

Michael Peters: I attended the School of the Arts at the University of Tennessee.  If nothing else, I took with me the ability and confidence to believe in your talent and to take with that the initiative of intentionality.  Whatever your idea is – run with it.  Really try to expand your boundaries.  Just because you’re an visual artist doesn’t mean you’re confined to a gallery.

Twilight Frequencies: I know you have had some gallery shows locally here in Knoxville, tell us a little about your work, if you can narrow it down to a few things? What’s your primary medium?

Michael Peters: By classification, I suppose you might say I’m a media artist.  But if I had to say I specialize in anything, it would probably be photography.  At least that is where my passion primarily lies.  I love the idea of pushing the medium of photography beyond just a single photograph.  That’s what my gallery exhibitions focus on – expanding the typical single photographic plane into something spacially concerned having multiple suspended panels, or photographs, creating dynamic geometric planes.

Twilight Frequencies: What’s the next year look like for Michael Peters the Artist?

Photo by Kari Foster

Michael Peters: It’s always hard to tell…especially being at the relative beginning stages of my career.  As of now, there is nothing solidified but hopefully that will change.  I’ve really turned my focus primarily on Backpod.  But as days pass, I hope to exhibit somewhere in the near future.  I would LOVE to show some photography and film work taken throughout my Backpod travels.  I truly believe that’s the direction I’m heading.

Contact Michael Peters here.

Twilight Frequencies: What types of things can people do to become active in providing a real change to the issues in Central America?

Michael Peters: Such a great question!  I really just encourage everyone to become active in any little way possible.  It’s important to remember that you don’t have to be a doctor or in the medical field to do international outreach.  I used my passion for media art along with the help of two other bright-minded individuals in their respective field to create this project.  There are so many organizations out there (I probably wouldn’t have believed it myself until I did this research for Backpod) that are striving for a better quality something for lesser-privileged individuals.  Unfortunately, many of these organizations lack the manpower to get their word out there.  It never hurts to contact them directly and see what you can do to help.  I found that many organizations have “bases” back in the states.  Something as simple as working indirectly with them by spreading the word around your college campus can be crucial in the success of their projects.

Photography by Jimmy Camacho

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Photo by Michael Peters

Twilight Frequencies: How did your expectations line up with the realities of the work being done by Non Profit organizations? What surprised you?

Michael Peters: We did countless hours of research prior to scheduling the inaugural trip.  So we were pretty familiar with the work being done.  There was a lot of communication being facilitated between us at Backpod and Global Brigades.

Personal Note: I did not anticipate the fact of how LITTLE Spanish I actually knew.   My knowledge of the language was an absolute monstrosity, but I managed thanks in large part to the organization and my Backpod Team members.

Twilight Frequencies: Was there anything you found not in line with an organizations goal? For instance did you ever feel there was corruption involved?

Michael Peters: Not at all.

Twilight Frequencies: How were you treated by the natives?

Michael Peters: Everyone was absolutely amazing!  You couldn’t ask for more hospitality.  Sometimes having a camera in your face can be a little intimidating or unnerving; but I seemed to be the only one who had any apprehension about that.  The Honduran people were just so thrilled to receive assistance in this fashion.