PHOTOGRAPHS BY BEN TOMS
Devised by Doug Francisco and Justine Squire (of the Invisible Circus), as part of environmental movement Extinction Rebellion, the Red Rebel Brigade is an international performance “artivist” troop dedicated to illuminating the global environmental crisis and supporting groups and organizations fighting to save humanity and all species from mass extinction. In the Colne Valley Regional Park, photographer Ben Toms captured their spirit and efforts to prevent the government’s High Speed 2 railway development.
“Red Rebel Brigade symbolizes the common blood we share with all species, that unifies us and makes us one. As such, we move as one, act as one, and more importantly, feel as one. We are unity and we empathize with our surroundings, we are forgiving. We are sympathetic and humble, compassionate and understanding, We divert, distract, delight, and inspire the people who watch us, We illuminate the magic realm beneath the surface of all things and we invite people to enter in, we make a bubble and calm the storm, we are peace in the midst of war. We are who the people have forgotten to be!” Red Rebel Brigade
TALENT DIRECTOR Holly Cullen MAKEUP Crystabel Riley using Absolution HAIR Naoki Komiya (Julian Watson Agency) SET DESIGN Janina Pendan PRODUCTION Mini Title PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANTS Jack Symes, Tarek Cassim, and Cameron Williamson DIGITAL TECH Emma Gibney STYLING ASSISTANTS Rebecca Perlmutar, Fleur Van de Merlen, and Hedda Askheim TALENT ASSISTANT Abi Corbett MAKEUP ASSISTANT Melanie Christou HAIR ASSISTANT Taylor-Mary Anthony
Nature is a delicate balance of expansion and collapse, flourish and famine, growth and decay. Have human beings permanently disrupted this cycle, throwing the wheel off its axis, or are we just paving way for the next species to thrive? Is it still possible for us to return to a point of flourishing without collapse? Explore these questions with the Extinction Rebellion, the women warriors of the Amazon, and more of our heroes on the frontlines of conservation. Featuring contributions from Sylvia Earle, Elizabeth L. Cline, Ben Toms, Sam Rock, Stefanie Moshammer, Liliana Merizalde, Kristin-Lee Moolman, Gareth McConnell, Pieter Hugo, Simon Armitage, and more.
Common Blood: Red Rebel Brigade
