The Iron in Our Blood: Women Are Heroes: Global Artwork

"The iron in our blood was formed in stars, billions of years ago, trillions of miles away."- The Perot Museum of Natural Science

As human beings, we are not all acquainted with the same Earth. We do not all wake to the same walls of the same room or have the same two hands tuck us in at night. But when cut, we bleed. We all bleed. And although it sounds strange, we bleed stardust.

The iron that governs our red blood cells is composed of the same atoms that once burned in stars, meaning every human being can be traced back to the very same place. In today's world, it is incredibly easy to see the differences between us because we are so distracted by labels and media and stereotypes, but we must remember that we all need iron to live; what is essential to each of us is the same.

So in case you ever forget, we are here to guide you through the differences of our skin and into the samenesses beneath. We are here to remind you of the iron in our blood.

Send questions and comments to theironinourblood@gmail.com

Monday, January 28, 2013

Women Are Heroes: Global Artwork

JR, founder of the "Women are Heroes" project, travels throughout South America, Africa, Asia, and the United States in search of ordinary women who have exhibited laudable strength, leadership, and resilience when staring unfathomable hardship straight in the face. He photographs their faces and eyes up close and then recreates these snapshots as murals on public walls, bringing "a haunting human presence to harsh environments of social conflict." The results are striking.