Christmas and Art

It is no surprise that Bethlehem gets a lot of press this time of year, even if it feels like a prison from what I hear. As it is the obvious, if important, story I appriciate it when other dimensions of the Palestinian-Christian community receive some attention. I recently came across two such examples. The first about Christians in Gaza, preparing for their first Christmas under Hamas rule and the second about the W. Bank Christian village of Taybeh and its Christmas concert:

...an unlikely group of fine musicians – including Christians, Jews and Muslims – ventured through the darkness and winter cold last Wednesday to converge on this hilltop town to perform a Christmas concert of baroque music against a backdrop of sadness and war – sadness because Christians are fleeing the Holy Land in disturbing numbers and war because this is the Middle East, where armed conflict seems as deeply embedded in the rocky soil as olive trees, religion and tombs.

But on this night there was song, and it was song that brought a Canadian visitor here, on a winding, starlit drive through deep canyons and over lofty ridges, past an Israeli military checkpoint and into Taybeh, an ancient community where Jesus once sought refuge from his enemies.

Although it may irk some, it is worth remembering that a lot of the renaissance music trotted out for Christmas easy listening has strong roots in the musical traditions of Arab-Andalusia. Of course, another reason Bethlehem has gotten a lot of attention is the "Santa's Ghetto" art show. Project like this are what Iraqi artist Qasim Sabti, might describe as "engaged art":

During the widespread looting in the wake of the invasion, "more than 5,000 books from the Academy of Fine Arts were stolen and destroyed," the former professor of the institute explained.

"I found many badly damaged books, partly burnt with their pages torn out, scattered throughout the neighborhood. I collected them up with a heavy heart and asked myself what I should do with them," he said.

"Then I got the idea to do this series of art works, using the bindings of the ruined books. They clearly show what has become of my city under American occupation; a place where culture has disappeared; a place where weapons and religion are everything."

For his homepage and examples of his wonderful art check out his website. While on the subject of art, it is worth noting the passing of one of the Muslim world's best, Amin Ismail Gulgee who was murdered in his home in Pakistan. Gulgee was a master of figurative, abstract and calligraphic art. I couldn't find one webpage that did him justice, but a few examples can be found, here.

No doubt that Arabs are sadly often not the most discerning "art" consumers. By all accounts they loved The Kingdom just as much as they used to love Chuck Norris.

Merry Christmas, Eid Mubarak, go listen to some music and see some art in whatever form you love!

PS: RIP Oscar Peterson (1925-2007). One of the greatest jazz pianists ever.