“ A space of Hope” plastic art forum held in Lattakia
“Art is a feeling, creativity and aesthetics. It is a sublime message which is transferred from one generation to another. Artists have an important role in preserving and documenting events” the plastic artist Ismael Toutanji said in a statement to the Syriatimes e-newspaper on the sideline of opening “ A space of hope” plastic art forum .
The cultural event, which is held at the National Museum in Lattakia province , will continue until the 15th of May with the participation of fifteen female plastic artists under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Lattakia’s Directorates of Culture and Antiquities in cooperation with the Picasso Center for Fine Arts there.
Toutanji, who is the supervisor of the event, indicated that this forum aims to embody through the art works the people’s suffering and the hard circumstances caused by the earthquake of February the 6that all levels , especially with regard to children.
“The participating artists are required to draw two paintings, one of them about the repercussion of the earthquake and the second one will embody the title of the forum, which is considered a call for hope and optimism” he added.
Toutanji stressed that Syria will not lose hope despite all the crisis . Syria is able to rise again thanks to the strength and cohesion of the people to face all circumstances.
“ The forum will be concluded by displaying the participants’ artworks through holding an exhibition and distributing certificates of participation .
The participant plastic artist Rana Esber told the Syriatimes that “The artist has a belief in the message of art, and he must express it by various means. The title of the forum calls for optimism. We all need support at all levels, especially at the psychological one”.
The artist indicated that her first paintings focused on the children because they express their feelings with innocence, compassion, fear and anxiety.
The painting showcased a little girl embracing her brother under the rubble to protect him from death, while she was screaming and crying for help. At the top of the painting the artist painted the Syrian flag with two crying eyes as a symbol of Syria, which was crying because of the devastation left by the earthquake.
As for the second painting, it came to express, according to Isber, the title of the forum. She drew wheat , as a symbol of tenderness, pigeons to express peace and safety in addition to Damascene jasmine, which Damascus is famous for, because its white color embodies purity and serenity.
19-year-old Zeina Khaddam, who is a first year student of architectural engineer, expressed her happiness at participating in the forum, as she considered it an opportunity to develop her talents and exchange ideas and experiences, stressing the close relationship between art and engineering.
“ I drew two children innocently contemplating what happened after the earthquake in terms of destruction and the death of people under the rubble. The two confused boys are standing in the middle of the street wondering what awaits them, destruction and death, or hope and a beautiful life” Khaddam said
“Birth after death” is the title of the artist Ghida Jida’s painting, in which she embodied the birth of a baby under the rubble, while her second painting expresses joy, hope and the continuity of life by drawing a little girl dancing, singing and playing.
The forum is distinguished by the participation of the ten-year-old girls, Romance Nabie’a and Rama Abu Ali, who expressed their grief because of the earthquake by drawing demolished buildings and their hope for a happy future by drawing the sun, flowers and the flag of Syria.
Interviewed by : Rawaa Ghanam
Photos by : Rawaa Ghanam
