My trip the Loomis art gallery provided me a chance to see the Syrian exhibit. Despite, being on campus I rarely go to the art exhibit in the RAC. However, my recent visit has provided me with an experience that shifts my perceptions of the Middle East. The intended narrative was to give a visual representation of life in the middle east, and compare that to life in the United States. The exhibit reflects the life of Mohammed Haffez, and his first-hand experiences with the Middle East. The artworks convey political turmoil in the region, which are reflected in the objects used to construct the air piece including paint and scrap metal.
The intended narrative may provide a bias memory of the historical event, as many may see the event in a different perspective. However, his account describes the violence of war, and political corruption present in the Middle East. Despite this account the exhibit also contains a distinct contrast in hopefulness and optimism.
The site represents the American identity of freedom and liberty. The contrast between the description of the Middle East life and life in America is completely different. For example, many see America as a utopian society based on the ideals of capitalism, liberty, and democracy. However, many Americans take for granite these ideals are the reasons why foreigners wish to flee upon our country. The political climate of the United States doesn’t even quantify for the level of political divide in the Middle East depicted in the artwork.
I think an important value of the exhibit was hope. This was seen on many levels throughout the exhibit, including a peaceful landscape of his home village as well as the blossoming out of dark. This could be seen as a transformation out of the dark era of political instability. Despite all the noise and confusion depicted in the creative piece, above the artwork was a blue sky, which I seen as a gateway to the future of the Middle East.
Questions:
- What factors are causing Political Instability in the Middle East?
- How can we help end tranny in the Middle East?
LC Public History Blog 