Final Thoughts...

Speech! Speech! Speech!

...

I decided to paint because I wanted to use my hands; I find it an essential way to portray my vision of Jerusalem. The process of this project was special because nothing was planned, it came together by itself. My hands were just tools in creating this life. When you create something, nothing is on accident, everything has purpose. I painted in layers, using only black and white paint… besides the violin, which I used a little bit of pink. I wanted the instrument to have a life of its own. The background is a bit destroyed and unidentifiable. The girl playing also has no identity. I do not feel like Jerusalem has a permanent identity, or a permanent resident. Music, to me, represents harmony and peace. To play music, we must sync up and work together to make our many melodies play harmoniously. After much deliberation I decided not to paint her bow. I do not feel like she has obtained it yet.

When I think about the city of Jerusalem, I think of layer s. Layers of history some peeled back, others on thick and stuck. I think of human hands pouring themselves into the construction of their empire. I think about identity, or lack thereof. I think of death and life. Thoughts fly before me of crushed dreams, but also hope and new desires. While some finally receive their nationality and develop pride, others lose rites, and a place to call home. All who experience Jerusalem leave a piece of themselves there, and their struggle becomes their existence. Raw human emotion is used as the glue to hold different ideals together...

I also just wanted to thank everyone in Living Jerusalem for putting so much into their multi media projects. I really enjoyed the ending of this class, and feel so prepared to walk the streets of Jerusalem myself.

Change is Certain

My project has changed. I attempted to do my previous idea, but people were not responding positively. Anything forced usually does not turn out great. Sometimes it takes me a little bit to formulate plans, but it is because I am waiting for something to click. Unfortunately, this has been a slight downfall for me in school. Not too significant, I always pull it off.


So, some of you went to the first documentary, Knowledge is the Beginning" http://www.knowledge-is-the-beginning.com/ But for those who did not, it is about a Orchestra. This particular Orchestra's members consist of men and women from all Israel, Palestine, and all the surrounding Arab countries. It was amazing to see the integration of these people who are really no different from one another. As we are all humans, and politics are not us, but part of our environment.



The music also moved me. How they play so well together, I will never understand. But, it showed that it is possible to get along, and even make something beautiful together. So I wanted to paint a picture, not necessarily for this class, but for my mental health FROM this class! haha. I found a picture of Tyme, a violinist from the East- Western Divan Orchestra, she is from Ramallah. Using the picture as a basic guide, I sketched it up real quick, and decided to paint it.



Immediately I ran into a problem. Color? This was a big problem for me when creating the blog template. When I see a color, I associate it with whatever may be fresh in my mind. For example, I parked on level 4 of the tuttle garage today, the sign was green, so when you say green in the back of MY head I think of my parking spot. Now this is extreme and I know I am a bit strange, but color does this especially when associated with sides of a conflict. If I use more blue, it may seem like Israel is taking over Ramallah, if I use too much red it may seem pro Palestinian, etc... so I have not been So I started painting it with black and white paint only.




As I paint and create this piece, I entertain all of these ideas and thoughts. What makes art move you? What makes it speak? Am I able to make my painting say what I want? Or will it take a life of its own? Should I do a counter painting? I keep adding layers, I have no idea how this will end up. I chose to focus my energy on this painting, but also thoughts and writing. This morning, I woke up and couldn't exactly remember what it even looked like!

to be continued...

What Does Jerusalem Mean To YOU?

Final Project Outline

What Does Jerusalem Mean To YOU?

I. Hard covered book- addressing the general public view of Jerusalem.
1. Black and White portrait
A. Next to a hand written or drawn entry by the sitter

I want to show, in a primary way, what Columbus Ohio's general public thinks of Jerusalem. I will ask random people to take their photograph, then hand them a sketch book in which they have complete freedom to express how they feel about Jerusalem. Or how Jerusalem MAKES them feel. I have done a book like this before, it was "What it means to be American." Flipping through it still has an effect on me, and I've viewed it many many many times. I think a photograph, and hand written expression peels back some sort of veil so we can see the fragility of humanity a little more clearly.

Gas Masks and Puppy Dogs

So after reading chapter 7, "The Promised Gas Masks" and chapter 9, "A Dog's Life" from Suad Amiry's Ramallah Diaries, I left with an interesting insight to the life of a "second class citizen. From curfews, and pointless lines to blatent disrespect, it would be very exhausting dealing with such injustice.

This war journal is a good example of a primary source of documenting history and events to provide the material to feel empathetic towards something one may not be personally experiencing.

Final Project

So- my final project is not exactly developed yet. Dr. H suggested I talk about the making of the blog. I suppose I could write something up describing how hard of a time I had designing it. Technologically, artistically, but also politically unbiased. Maybe some poetry, or a short story of my process could be entertaining. I suppose what I am wondering, is what do you guys want to hear? I like to be creative, so a term paper is not an option for me unless you just don't like me and want me to suffer through it. I understand, I have been absent a lot this quarter, again I would have rather been in class and feeling well. I am getting off topic here. Okay back to the final project. I think I am going to write and see what the paper picks up, but my thesis for whatever will be along the lines of this thought; With something as elusive as peace, how does one go about tip toeing through feelings, rules, logic, beliefs, ideas, dreams... the list goes on, to reach the goal of expression without offending those invloved in the peace making, which in essence, is the globe as a whole. We live in a globalized, imformation (sometimes false) ran society. Meaning, what we do over here, does indeed affect people over there. Wherever here and there is doesnt really matter. I struggled with all of this while working with a blank canvas I needed to activate with a reflection of our own groups culture. Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated.

Traitor To My Own Cause

That's what my friend said to me through text when I informed him of what I had done. You see, I set my alarm for P.M., instead of my buddy A.M. (classic right?) no, not at all. I am pretty disappointed that I didn't get up until just now. I was to get up at 6A.M. to update the blogs also.

But anyways, can't get into my hot tub time machine and make my thumb pay closer attention to quickness of the blackberry roller ball, although that would be cool... However, I could move on and learn a valuable lesson, so that is what I will do.

One thing I want to say about "Channeling Rage" is that I am so very glad we watched it. There were points during the film when my mouth was just...open. New perspectives on old issues tend to do that to me. As they should everyone. I know I was reading but through the raw passion of their lyrics and the beat of the music, I almost felt like I could speak Hebrew and Arabic. Very cool.

The Elusive Search for Peace?

I cant help but sit back and think retrospectively like I am member of each of these nations when I listen to young people pour their entire being into an art like music. I am a big advocate of the underground hip hop scene, and recently learned of more popular Israeli/Palestinian under-grounders. However, it is difficult to find English translations!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRAdM3VWQko&feature=related
Subliminal and Sivian Behnam, Perfect Place

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIo6lyP9tTE
DAM, Born here

A song from each of the rappers from Channels of Rage... Which I am ridiculously stoked, yes stoked, to see on Thursday! All the online clips do not provide English sub titles, so I have been waiting.

A quote from the song "Living from day to day", that features both rappers:

"Already a thousand in the field, carry words like weapons, one more page to the paper, when will the struggle end? I have no other land. People, war is outside, only hip-hop will bring peace."1

This hit me, as did the songs I found from both artists, pretty hard all at once. Peace is what the people want. Greed and selfish desire fuel this conflict. Maybe hip hop and other forms of more creative and expressive art will free the bird from her cage.

The conflict over this particular piece of land is lengthy, but it has hope for it has matured as has means of communication. The old system is being over thrown by a new, globalized version of justice.

But does publicity and media ruin the hope for change with this method of dialogue? According to Qantara.de, Subliminal and Tamer were friends, but "their friendship broke up in the wake of the Intifada."1 A thought that peace is possible, but the next headline you read smashes that thought into pieces, just like the destruction filled history of Jerusalem. If a friendship between two advocates for peace, something tiny compared to the mass of the conflict itself, cannot withstand the pressures of the lens, how can one expect further resolution?

1. http://www.qantara.de/webcom/show_article.php/_c-310/_nr-54/i.html

Photographs I found of a Protest Last Summer

Ultra-Orthodox Jews take part in a protest in Jerusalem June 6, 2009. Israeli police fired water cannons at hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews who threw stones in protest on Saturday against the opening of a public parking lot they see as a violation of religious law. REUTERS/Darren Whiteside (JERUSALEM RELIGION CONFLICT IMAGES OF THE DAY)

An Israeli policeman runs after an ultra Orthodox Jew during a demonstration in the conservative Jerusalem district of Mea Sharim on June 6, 2009. Thousands of Orthodox Jews clashed with Israeli police in Jerusalem in protest over the inauguration of a municipal parking lot, the Jewish sabbath. TOPSHOTS/AFP PHOTO/AHMAD GHARABLI (Photo credit should read AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

jihad

Who knows about the word jihad?
Does this word make you sad?
Do you really know why is it used?
Or do you think you could simply be confused?
Its primary meaning is struggle
a few different words to juggle.
To make ones life a purposeful striving to implement God's will,
Jihad is meant to fulfill.

Jihad had retired in the Near East,
Until the Crusaders it was released.
Nur ad-Din waged a holy war,
for Jerusalem, they did adore.
The Crusaders justified their cause
to fight oppression they would applause.
The second Crusade did fail,
Frankish Jerusalem became very frail.
The Franks turned on one another,
in this time when they needed a brother.

The Franks were near a civil war,
the threat of a Muslim take-over they did ignore.
Elected a newcomer, King Guy
sensible advice he would defy.
The battle of Hittin was an exhaust,
The Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem was lost.

Unlike the Crusaders and their mass slaughter
Saladin's heart was much softer.
Not a single Christian was slain,
and those who would remain?
They would become prisoners or war,
but with money they would be no more.

Saladin had said," Christians everywhere will remember the kindness we have done."
If only he had known what he had begun.

Crusade

It all started in 1095
Christianity in Jerusalem is what they wanted to revive.
Pope Urban 11,
that he did beckon
All to the crusade
No matter what your trade.
Liberate the tomb of Christ from Islam!
Stand up and make arm!
It took the crusaders three long years to reach the Holy Land,
And this you must understand.
The journey was not easy
the stories could make you a bit queasy
It is even said to have made anti-Semitism incurable
The Crusaders did seem durable.
Once they broke through the walls in 1099
Avenging their divine.
three days spent to slaughter,
It didn't matter if you were someones daughter.
Thirty thousand people were killed in all,
once were protected by a wall.
Massacre was a sign of triumph for Christianity
But, what about humanity?

Conversation with Kasa Bayisin and Group Discussion

“To have one shoe in Ethiopia is a good day.”

I am completely taken back by meeting Kasa today. I completely understand Dr. H and her passion for ethnographic research now. Knowing something, and actually experiencing something are vastly different. Last night, I read about Jewish Ethiopians. I wanted to be prepared for this morning. I knew most of the history she talked about, but I am still in awe. I have never met anyone in my life who would say to have one shoe is a good day. This morning inspired me. I want to meet more people like Kasa, and really soak in all walks of life. Her story is absolutely amazing, and I am so excited for her! I cant imagine going from not knowing what electricity is to teaching Hebrew in Ohio! Globalization is insane! I would like to stay in contact with Kasa. Dr. H?

So I was pretty quiet during group discussion today. I feel like what everyone was saying, I went through 2 years ago. I also grew up in a christian family, in fact, my dad had his own church for part of my childhood. I question everything that is told to me, so religion was not any different. I have read a few books, and made a few arguments with relatives, but I didn't delve too deep into the "truth" because I was a bit nervous my family could be wrong with their beliefs. Two years ago, I took a comparative religions course, and furthered my religious knowledge even more. I was completely shocked by archaeological history verses written history. I encourage everyone who mentioned it today to read the Bible, and other Holy Scriptures from all three monotheistic religions when they have time. Who knew history would be so interesting? I will attempt to converse more next discussion, I am not shy if that's what you guys think! haha!

Photographs

A friend of mine who has been living in Jerusalem for a couple years suggested a photo journalist to me recently, Bernat Armangue.

I found this link when I ran a search for her: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/bernat-armangue/

I loved looking through the pictures, so I thought I would share...

Thanks Nathan!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8610595.stm

Reading Responses Thus Far...

I have not had the chance to explain my reactions to any of the readings yet. I have really enjoyed the articles, and feel like together, they were a fabulous overview of Jerusalem, and the conflict. Not bias whatsoever, and entertaining enough to keep me reading. I really enjoyed the timeline provided in Jerusalem: Then and Now by Mick Dumper, I referred to it while reading all the articles, and will continue to use it throughout the quarter. I really like reading articles written by both "sides" one after another... and not knowing exactly who the author is while reading. This is helping me to truly understand the conflict without a bias. The video we watched was nice. I always enjoy films, and the different perspective you gain from them. I hope to take a camcorder to Jerusalem when we go.

I have not received a hard copy of Karen Armstrong's book yet, but I do have the audio version. Listening to her voice can be rough at times, haha, but it is nice being able to sit back and create a picture. I have heard most of what she has talked about already from various sources while growing up, but it is nice to get a recap. She does cover each story with much more detail than I knew, and being older I can create my own ideas along the way.

When Are We Truly Ourselves?

When am I truly myself?
well lets start with my book shelf.
I love to read,
especially when I am looking for a good lead.
I write all the time,
I really love to rhyme.
I write poems all day,
especially in May.
Flowers inspire me,
my middle name is Marie.
But that really doesn't matter,
sometimes my thoughts are quite a scatter.
I decided to write a rhyme,
even though it takes more time.
I think a poem better explains me,
and that I can guarantee.
I really dig yoga and meditation,
Helps me to sort out my frustration.
I paint and draw,
one of my favorite pastries is a bear claw.
I keep a journal next to my bed,
I really like the taste of cinnamon rasin bread.
Especially when topped with almond butter...
Sometimes I have a bit of a stutter,
I try to work through it,
relying on my wit.
Lets see, what else is me...
I have a dog who is quite the side kick,
my face, she likes to lick.
Always has my back,
except my poor flowers she likes to attack.
I love to create,
my favorite number is eight.
My birthday is in August,
celebration is a must.
My friend Sarah always makes the party exist,
I try to assist.
I don't have much of a sweet tooth,
I prefer sitting in a booth.
I am a bartender by night,
sometimes it can be quite a delight.
A great place to get material,
I always carry anti-bacterial.
Lip balm is always in my pocket,
I wish i could run as fast as a rocket.
I don't really think I belong in here,
I want to travel this sphere...

Inspiration

What inspires me? Why am I here, typing this blog right now? Why do I want to go to Jerusalem? Why do I take photographs? These are all the questions that come to mind when I think of my first post to this blog. I would not be here right now if it weren't for the amazing support from my friends, family and complete strangers that heard me out. For as long as my memory serves me, I have been interested in Jerusalem. As a child, growing up my father was a pastor, and I was taught with the Bible. I was home schooled until 3rd grade, so the Bible is how I learned my history, science, and literacy for the most part. Jerusalem, obviously, came up often. It was not until I was a teenager that I really realized where or what Jerusalem was. I did lots of independent studies in religion, all types not just monotheistic, and I still feel like I know nothing.

So, why do I take photographs? This is a tough question to answer. On one hand, I feel that photography is a very powerful subject matter to show people truth. This is why I first got into it. I want to ultimately work in the photojournalism world. But I go back and forth with this because in a way photographs "deaden our consciousness", thank you to Susan Sontag for that phrase. When you first see a picture of a starving child, your heart will hurt... after seeing photos like this acouple hundred times, you become apathetic towards the child. I am still looking for the right approach, I know it has to be out there. I feel that this trip will be one more step forward in finding the right way to communicate, without the viewer becoming uninterested.

Somehow, some way, I am here. Finding this was step number one, number two was getting accepted, number three... funding it. I do not come from money, I do not have money, but what I do have is a very strong backbone of friends. I almost gave up a few times, but no one would let me. Sure, the money I needed probably is not a lot to most... but I would not have been able to raise it without my peeps! Shout out to Skreened on high street, they sold there "mistake shirts" for 5 bucks each and gave me most of the profits! Shout out to my place of employment, Gallo's Tap Room on Bethel rd, my awesome boss Tommy Gallo threw a silent auction for me there, where my friends donated their artwork, dates etc... We even raised enough to donated a couple hundred dollars to Feed The Children!!!

Just making it this far has been a journey, I cannot wait for this class to get rolling, and once I am in the air on my way to Jerusalem!