An-Najah Staff

RHYTHMS, DOVES, AND OTHER THINGS

by

Kamal Mohammad Zeidan

“Art is the child of its surroundings,” is an old saying but yet so present. Our life style, daily experiences, and the culture that surrounds us shape the way we think and express ourselves. Our way of expression includes the spiritual side of our lives that relates to the intangible way of our thinking and beliefs. Our materialistic side relates to tangibles such as places, buildings, and everything that falls into the horizon of our sight.

As a Palestinian the topic of my project comes from my own life experiences. Naturally there are happy as well as sad moments along with the memories of my childhood. Palestine, the holy land, is the cradle of all religions and the birth of all of my artistic creations. Jerusalem, as the heart of Palestine, represents peace, love and happiness to all through the beauty of its architectural designs, decorations, and folklore. This is contrary to how the world on the outside perceives Palestine. All of this beauty and peace has been scarred by horror and torment. The awful smell of blood and death in its streets and alleyways is a striking contrast to the beautiful display of previous civilizations and their magnificent footsteps that they left behind.

“Rhythms, Doves, and Other Things” is about how I see Palestine and the way in which it differs from the views of those on the outside. The project is divided into two sections. The first section is a large wall piece displaying the beauty of the rhythms within the Palestinian heritage. Palestine, the land, people and heritage is represented by many national and traditional symbols which summarize my understanding for that great country. These symbols can be defined as the following:

The Dome of the Rock, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings all over the world with its unique architecture and decorations, fading away to the naked eyes represents Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a sacred city that has inspired the creativity of poets, singers, and artists. This city is carved in the minds of Palestinians and it continues to live in the hearts of each and every generation. The overwhelming love that people have towards Jerusalem leaves them unable to describe the depths of their feelings. Jerusalem and the Dome of the Rock represent Palestine and the land of peace.

The wall of Jerusalem, with its famous shape and ancient texture, is another thing that reminds us about Jerusalem. I have depicted this wall in an expanded view while including some other symbols.

The old key is a symbol that represents hope for the Palestinian refugees returning to their homes. Although their homes were destroyed and demolished they keep this key as a sign of their determination to return to their homeland. I used this symbol twice in this project: once as a separate tile in the border; the second time in a combination with the rooster crowing strongly towards that key.

The rooster represents the future, promise, and hope. When the rooster crows the sun rises and a new day begins. So I used the rooster face to face with the old key because I want him to promise those refugees a new future. That future is their return. This idea is supported by using a Palestinian woman, with her scarf and traditional dress, protecting and raising the dream to return.

The dove represents the idea of peace. The dove is used three times in this project in different situations. The first is where we can see the dove inside the darkness of the

jail bars, those are the Palestinian prisoners. Peace is arrested when those prisoners are arrested. The second situation where the dove was used is inside her nest with her eggs. This position represents the hope of peaceful generations. In the third situation I used four doves flying, each of which varies in size. These doves are coming out from Jerusalem spreading the idea of peace.

The olive branch is another symbol representing peace. I used this symbol twice and the first moment is where it cracks through the wall of Jerusalem. It comes through out this wall and meets the dove in her nest. The second time it is closer to the Dome of the Rock and cradling peacefully.

The horse is a famous symbol which represents revolution against occupation. This horse refuses torture and looks towards freedom and peace. In addition to all of these I used other symbols such as the hand with the eye which is an old symbol of protection. The candle is also used to support the idea of light and freedom. Arabic letters and traditional motives are also used to support the identity of this project. A famous sentence for Mahmoud Darweesh, a Palestinian poet, is used in Arabic. This sentence says: “We love life if we can find a way to it.”

The second part of this project displays a group of skulls and bones hanging in front of the wall piece. It represents the outside world watching the pain and misery that continues to grow, while the stench of death and blood becomes stronger with each passing day. The world shows no mercy, keeps quiet, refuses to help, and does not assist in bringing peace to Palestine; the land of peace. These skulls will be in different sizes and colors, and some of them will be bearing a few of these discussed symbols. The first

decorative wall tile will cover a larger and brighter area to convey that hope, in all of its beauty, will overcome despair and all of its disgust. For the entire project I will use the low relief tile method and low fire clay along with bright under-glaze colors.

This project is an indirect invitation for the world to remember Palestine with its enriching culture and unique heritage. It deserves to be seen with beautiful and peaceful eyes. With these glances and looks, it can return to being the land of peace forever.