Tyler Green links to a Guardian piece on interesting new contemporary art-related program activities by Baghdad sculptor Karim Khalil. About a month ago, artist Steve Mumford updated his "Baghdad Journal" (a feature for Artnet) with a profile of a number of artists in Iraq. There were two pieces in particular that will resonate with an American audience for sure:
Abdul Kharim Khalil, Man in Abu-Ghraib, 2004
Qassim Septi, [unknown title], 2004
These pieces were both displayed at Septi's Hewar Gallery in Baghdad in a show dealing with the Abu Ghraib atrocities. (Interestingly enough, both Agence France Presse and Steve Mumford report that Iraqi artistic outrage over the incident was otherwise limited. Freepers, of course, spazzed out on the subject.)
I found one piece in Mumford's report to be particularly inspired—a sculpture by Ahmed al-Safi:
Ahmed al-Safi, [unknown title], [unknown year]
Like an Arabic-script translation of the marking system Calder uses in his mobiles and sculptures. I'm in total agreement with Tyler Green: The Hewar show should be flown to Washington as soon as possible. Just don't give it to the Corcoran.
Posted by Kriston at November 24, 2004 2:55 PMWhat's more telling is that it was made months before the pictures came out.
Posted by: Justin at November 24, 2004 3:57 PMWhat I have seen here is the most revolting.I cannot understand how the american people can and still allow this inhumanity to continue.This abuse will be part of america's history.They have become among the worst rogue nations that torture.What retched people.
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