Guests of Honor

Guests of Honor 2007

Guests of honour of the festival are the famous artist with disability Alison Lapper and the Paralympic champion and artist Aimee Mullins.

Alison Lapper

Artist Alison Lapper’s work and life have attracted considerable media attention. Sculptor Marc Quinn’s statue of her, “Alison Lapper Pregnant”, was displayed in Trafalgar Square, London. In 2003 she was honoured with the “Woman of the Year” award in Spain. Works by her have been exhibited in major museums and galleries, including London’s Photographer’s Gallery and Fabrica. In her art she questions notions of physical normality and beauty, and challenges society's preconceptions about disability and motherhood. “A particular influence has been the Venus de Milo, who is admired as one of the great classic beauties, despite having lost her own arms”. The festival audience will have the opportunity to meet Alison Lapper at the opening ceremony.

Aimee Mullins

Actress, athlete and fashion model, Aimee Mullins has received the honorary title of one of the “Greatest American Women of the 20th Century” for her contribution to sport by the Women’s Museum. Aimee constantly attracts media attention. She played in Oliver Stone’s film World Trade Center and appeared as cheetah-woman in Matthew Barney's avant-garde  film Cremaster 3, which according to the Guardian is “the first true masterpiece […] ever since Dali and Bunuel filmed the Andalusian Dog (1929)”. At university she competed against able-bodied athletes and in 1996 she participated in the Paralympics of Atlanta, where she set World Records in the 100 metres and the long jump. Aimee was declared the “Hottest Muse” in Rolling Stone magazine’s annual Hot List, People magazine included her among the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World”, and one of the world’s most celebrated fashion designers, Alexander McQueen, invited her to walk alongside the world’s supermodels. At such a young age, Aimee has been the source of inspiration for many exhibits, that can be found at such famous institutions as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tate Modern and the Women’s Museum. She spends much of her free time assisting various non-profit organizations, most notably Just One Break and the Women’s Sports Foundation.