CMAS APNEA SOCIAL PROJECTS: "THE MIRROR"

CMAS World Top Athletes in APNEA SOCIAL PROJECTS:

“THE MIRROR - VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN”

UNDERWATER PHOTO EXHIBITION by NEJDET DEMİRTAŞ

Violence Against Women exhibition designed & produced by underwater photographer Nejdet DEMİRTAŞ from Turkey and has been achieved by the participation of many free divers (champions, record holders) from 7 CMAS affiliated member  Countries including medical doctors from Kaş State hospital.

Violence against women is the most common Human Rights threat.

1 of every 3 women is subject to either physical or sexual violence mostly by an intimate partner or a husband.

The source of this aggression is obviously the male dominance in almost every culture throughout the world.

Every 18 hours a women is killed in South Africa.

Rate of violence against women in the EU:

• %52 in Denmark,
• %47 in Finland
• %46 in Sweden
• %45 in the Netherlands
• %44 in France and United Kingdom

Women are struggling against this violence since the 1960’s.

Nejdet Demirtaş's photos are one of a kind, sometimes political and mostly executed in a way creating social awareness and have big impact on the public.

The objective of Demirtaş’s projects is to raise awareness among the public about the disturbing sociopolitical issues.

A wide crew including experts contributed to his latest project: the Mirror.

These include:

• Storyboard artists,
• Turkish and international professional free-divers (national athletes, record and medal owners), Kaş State Hospital doctors. 
• Security divers,
• Behind the scenes photographers and videographers,
• Costume and decor designers,
• Scene setting crew on board,
• Boat crew,
• Post-production team (processing of the photos and videos).

International Athletes joined the project while they were in Kaş, Antalya for CMAS World Freediving Championship 2016.

To build this project, whole crew worked hard for months, both underwater and on land.

 Who is Nejdet DEMİRTAŞ?

He was born in 1965/Istanbul. He started photography during his college years while he studied Law in Istanbul University.

He worked for Motor On Magazine as a photo editor and travel writer.

Nejdet Demirtas is the only artist in the World so far who creates series of socio-political projects that are photographed underwater. By doing so, he also created a new genre in photography.

All of his works were displayed in the national media and were exhibited in many cities. The previous projects include Child-abuse / Under-age marriage, Gezi Park protests(Istanbul), Mining accidents, The 100th anniversary of Gallipoli War.

In 2015, in cooperation with the Municipality of Çanakkale, he exhibited his project 'Sons of the Dardanelles' in which he aimed to display the impact of the Gallipoli War on people.

In 2017, he exhibited his project 'The Mirror' in which he aimed to raise awareness about the violence against women.

He has been living in Kaş, Antalya since 2009.

Underwater Models Participated:

•  Alena Konecna (Czech Republic)
• Alfredo Rosado (Equador)
• Daniel Arias Cordova (Chile)
• Davide Carrera (Italy)
• Gemma Vila (Spain)
• Gilda Karina (Equador)
• Homar Leuci (Italy)
• Luis Martinez (Spain)
• Michele Giurgola (Italy)
• Michele Tomasi (Italy)
• Salvatore Bavusotto (Italy)
• Sofia Salazar Sierra (Equador)
• Sun Young Kim (South Korea)
• Vincenzo Ferri (Italy)

Local Participants:

• Ayşe Ufuk Koca (Turkey)
• Birgül Erken (Turkey
• Damla Alp (Turkey)
• Değer Erken (Turkey)
• Emre Karaahmetli (Turkey)
• Kaan Ekinci (Turkey)
• Mete Tarık Salman (Turkey)
• Onur Ekşioğlu (Turkey)

News by Levent UCUZAL,

President of CMAS Apnea Commission

STORIES BEHIND THE PHOTOS