2008 Woodie Awards
The Art of Protest
Samantha Roxas
Issue date: 10/3/07 Section: Opinion
Recently, a French street artist and photographer known as "JR" spoke out in regards to the current conflicts between Israel and Palestine, with the words "The image you have of the conflict is not the right one."
Though these two worlds obviously have conflicting beliefs, and on the surface can seem hopelessly divided, the fact is that these people have striking resemblances to each other.
As a world, we are all connected in the fact that we are all people; human beings struggling for survival and the search for our place on this planet. But we segregate one another out of greed, spite and lack of understanding.
JR came to the understanding of the undeniable similarities between Israel and Palestine first-hand, when he visited both sides two years ago. Struck by the common ties between the two fighting countries, JR felt compelled to spread the word: their differences with one another were not very different at all.
In his effort to connect the divide in understanding between these people, JR used the media which he knew best: photography and street art. He spent months photographing locals from the two countries, and plastered oversized pictures of Israelis and Palestinians with the same jobs right next to each other on buildings in eight cities across the region.
Reading the response to his efforts, however, was an unpleasant surprise.
People were explaining that his optimism was endearing, but claim that his efforts wouldn't make a difference and were a waste of time.
People complained that pictures plastered on a wall are not going to change the reality of what's going on in Israel and Palestine, and that bringing a community together after so many years of conflict isn't quite that easy. It is disheartening that people are so quick to reject his medium of activism.
I, for one, admire JR for using his creative talents and energy to make a change, even if that change is simply making someone taking a second look at the conflict rather than accepting or ignoring it.
Even if this project had a monumental effect of nothing at all, don't you think we need more people at the very least trying, and continuing to try to speak out? This is one mind out of millions being true to what he believes is right and making a real effort to lead others in a positive direction.
We need to respect the efforts of others, regardless to their choice of expression. We can't shut one another down because we're on the same team. Since when did peace become a competition? Maybe photos on a wall won't stop a war, but what are you doing about it?
We really have to believe that even the smallest effort can produce the biggest change. We can't hope to make a difference when people don't believe that we can in the first place.
It's not about which way of doing it is right. It's about what is right, period.
Though these two worlds obviously have conflicting beliefs, and on the surface can seem hopelessly divided, the fact is that these people have striking resemblances to each other.
As a world, we are all connected in the fact that we are all people; human beings struggling for survival and the search for our place on this planet. But we segregate one another out of greed, spite and lack of understanding.
JR came to the understanding of the undeniable similarities between Israel and Palestine first-hand, when he visited both sides two years ago. Struck by the common ties between the two fighting countries, JR felt compelled to spread the word: their differences with one another were not very different at all.
In his effort to connect the divide in understanding between these people, JR used the media which he knew best: photography and street art. He spent months photographing locals from the two countries, and plastered oversized pictures of Israelis and Palestinians with the same jobs right next to each other on buildings in eight cities across the region.
Reading the response to his efforts, however, was an unpleasant surprise.
People were explaining that his optimism was endearing, but claim that his efforts wouldn't make a difference and were a waste of time.
People complained that pictures plastered on a wall are not going to change the reality of what's going on in Israel and Palestine, and that bringing a community together after so many years of conflict isn't quite that easy. It is disheartening that people are so quick to reject his medium of activism.
I, for one, admire JR for using his creative talents and energy to make a change, even if that change is simply making someone taking a second look at the conflict rather than accepting or ignoring it.
Even if this project had a monumental effect of nothing at all, don't you think we need more people at the very least trying, and continuing to try to speak out? This is one mind out of millions being true to what he believes is right and making a real effort to lead others in a positive direction.
We need to respect the efforts of others, regardless to their choice of expression. We can't shut one another down because we're on the same team. Since when did peace become a competition? Maybe photos on a wall won't stop a war, but what are you doing about it?
We really have to believe that even the smallest effort can produce the biggest change. We can't hope to make a difference when people don't believe that we can in the first place.
It's not about which way of doing it is right. It's about what is right, period.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
David Magdangal
posted 10/18/07 @ 11:02 PM PST
There are people chosen out of this world that will undeniably be hated. You and I know that these are people who send messages of truth. Sometimes the truth misses peoples hearts because these people have minds firmly unreceptive to new ideas or arguments. (Continued…)
david_magdangal
David Magdangal
posted 10/18/07 @ 11:19 PM PST
Where are the photos JR placed in the cities?
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