Current Blog | in-gaza

And so with a sigh the latch was slide into place, the lock snapped shut and the bits and pieces of ArtPrize 2014 put to bed in a safe and dry storage locker.

It was strongly suggested to simply let Habitat for Humanity come and collect the wood and panels and not to take on the responsibility or expense of keeping the installation together.

What turned the decision was an optimism, perhaps naïve, perhaps delusionary that telling the Palestinian story can and should continue and that the images from the installation can be again set up at college campuses and museums across the globe; Washington DC and Israel included.

The experience of ArtPrize this year has been good, there were many favourable comments and reviews, many new friends were made.

There is No Time to Waste

Our story today begins on the beach in Ventura, California,. 2000 miles from Grand Rapids and 6000 miles from Gaza.

Walking the shore at sunset with my friend Susan and two of her friends, Terence and Chris, we came across a large tuna, washed ashore covered in oil. A bit further, a bird, completely soaked with black smug was being pulled by the current out to sea. Then a bird, alive, unable to fly, its coat black with an oiley coating. Its plight was profound.

I think we all had a similar unspoken thought….we have to do something…..but what? It was a very helpless feeling. The bird most decidedly was going to die in its current condition. Should we somehow put it out of its misery quickly or allow nature to take its course and let the tides carry it off? Should we collect the bird and take it to an animal rescue center?

Without much discussion we decided on the latter and Susan and I walked back a good distance to collect our car. The plan, to find a cardboard box to carry the sea bird, a Cormorant, to an emergency veterinary clinic. By the time we returned to the shore, the bird had passed away. Our responsibility of the moment was alleviated, but the lingering frustrations remain.

The helplessness of seeing the suffering bird felt so much like the helplessness of seeing the images coming out of Gaza….people suffering not only immediate pain of injury, but of continued horrific living conditions after being literally blown out of their homes. .

As a cold, wet winter descends on the Gazan territory what can one person do to help the situation on the ground? What should one person do?.

There actually is much that can be done and I don’t think I can personally rest at night ignoring the situation as I know it exists.

All of which brings the story back to Grand Rapids….

At the same time there was criticism that I am doing this work for my own benefit and ego. This is a hard criticism to counter as perhaps, if I am honest with myself, there is a shred of truth in the statement. This is no doubt a criticism that many artists and documentarians who deal with social themes face. But it is still very troubling, forcing serious self-re-evaluation.

Now that the ArtPrize experience is over it’s such a time. The issues of the Palestinian/Israeli conflict are immense. The physical and emotional realities facing the people of Gaza are huge, the political, economic, and logistical realities of reconstruction are almost beyond comprehension.

I sincerely want to help. And finding the resources to continue, I compassionately hope, are not beyond my ability. I know I am now suffering from post-project depression….the empty feeling that descends on ones mental state at the end of an intense three month project that has consumed all time and energy virtually 24/7.

So what to do…..there are two immediate avenues to pursue with all the energy and perseverance that can be mustered.

First…..to return to the West Bank and Gaza with an aid mission encompassing three tasks; to bring Biosand water purification technology for testing and subsequent distribution to families in need; to identify young Gazan children needing critical specialized medical care, subsequently helping to facilitate their visas and locating the resources in the Grand Rapids area for their recovery, and; to document the mission with an interactive web site and broadcast documentary.

Then upon return from the Gaza and West Bank with updated photography and video the goal will be to repackage the installations Facing Al-Aqaba and We All Live in Gaza into a combined travelling installation, with a working title of FACING PALESITNE. The immediate objective to bring it to cities where there is a high predominance of political decision makers; Washington, DC, New York City, Geneva, London.

Public opinion and international public support is going to be as important as the physical reconstruction of the territory….it is all important work…..as always I pray to be able to maintain momentum physically, mentally, emotionally and economically.