| By
Ica Wahbeh
"In
remembrance of Khalid Shoman" is a commemorative
event whose solemnity is finely counterbalanced by the
professed goal of the foundation bearing the same name:
"To pursue the man's vision of a future renaissance
in the Arab world, to spread awareness in the fields
of arts, architecture and archaeology and to be a haven
for knowledge and progress, dedicated to the moral values
which Khalid Shoman upheld throughout his life."
While
meant to pay tribute to a man departed too early from
among the dear ones, the exhibition manages, at the
same time, to uplift spirits and present the multi-faceted
personality of a son, a husband, a father, a businessman
and a friend.
Breaking
new grounds on the art scene in Jordan, the unique photo
display was conceived, under careful guidance from Khalid
Shoman's wife, Suha, an
accomplished artist, as a holistic exhibition environment
where creativity and modern techniques blend smoothly
to recreate the chronology of a life.
The three
halls at the Darat Al Funun, presenting three distinctive
themes but revolving around the one man, are taking
the viewer through a wide range of emotions, while,
at the same time, presenting the many aspects of the
personality of a complex individual.
From
reverence in front of Suha Shoman's installation to
respect for the businessman and the banker, the onlooker
will be also torn between sadness, felt as one's own,
and elation, while witnessing the happy mementos and
being allowed to share in the words of wisdom left by
a man who also left an indelible mark on life and on
those who knew him.
The man
who automated the Arab Bank, in his capacity as deputy
chairman and president, who led it towards progress,
modernization and continuous success, is rightfully
given ample space at the exhibition.
The media
used are innovative, the language is that of corporate
design.
Nine glass information panels focus on specific areas
of activity of Khalid Shoman, a leader of the huge financial
institution his father Abdulhameed Shoman
founded in 1931 in Palestine.
Large
headlines applied on Plexiglas dividers hang from the
ceiling, giving the space a distinct typographic character.
Breaking the rhythm of panels and dividers, an Internet
booth enables visitors to browse the Shoman website
and leave electronic guestbook entries. The walls are
treated as informational surfaces on which quotes form
Khalid Shoman's speeches and annual report messages
are applied.
The atmosphere
is business like, but it is also highly charged with
human qualities of leadership, vision, care for co-workers
and the ever-pervading warmth emanating from the man's
demeanour.
Contrasting
yet complementing the "business" world is
the spiritual room, a sparsely decorated space weighing
heavily on the viewer's soul. Incorporating high-tech
elements in this spiritual space is attributed to Suha
Shoman. Unique footage of natural phenomena captured
on digital camera is projected, enlarged, on the facing
wall of the "shrine". Leading to the images
are rows of pebbles lined like soldiers, like huge photo
resolution points or like rosary beads (depending on
how one looks at things, but all the more intriguing
in their capacity to unify the whole concept of the
classic/modern exhibition). Somehow reminiscent of a
ritualistic worshipping altar, the soothing, parallel
lines (or maybe lives or lanes), mineral stippling that
contrasts with the amorphous clouds and mountainridges
of the images projected, manage, at the same time, to
calm and bring some order to the soul stirred by the
assailing images.
The imagery,
taken from the family's Petra house by Suha Shoman,
is a work of art in itself. Sun and clouds (isn't life
made up of both?) are intertwined.
Clouds chase one after another, the sun appears from
behind them; the ridges of Petra mountains are reflected
ruggedly against the horizon. The whole multimedia projection
is a continuous showing of life's cycle from sunrise
to sunset, an appropriate parallel to the life of the
man commemorated.
A quote
from Marcus Aurelius: "Pass then through this moment
in time in harmony with nature, and enjoy your journey
in content, as an olive falls when it is ripe, blessing
nature who produced it, and thanking the tree on which
it grew," accompanies the photo of Khalid Shoman
standing atop a mountain range (in Petra, where else)
and the picture of a pensive young Khalid reflecting,
perhaps, on the meaning of life and the fate reserved
mankind. A magnified frame of yet another Petra ridge,
red and gold, aglow in the light of a rising sun, offers
the hope of another born life.
The installation,
contemporary abstract high-tech contribution to a moment
of tribute to a life passed, inspires awe but also suggests
a place where life prevails.
The middle
bay offers a glimpse into the personal life of Khalid
Shoman, the family man and friend. Casually smiling
in a group of friends or officials, a relaxed, contented
man exudes warmth and confidence. Giving a piggy back
ride to his daughter Aisha, draping his son Omar's shoulders,
flying a plane or having leis around his neck, father
and husband Khalid Shoman can always be seen hugging,
holding, smiling, affectionate and human.
In front
of a prize marlin or serenely fishing, his biggest hobby,
the images are those of a man full of life and generously
giving of himself to those around.
By the
door, a frame of Khalid Shoman profiled against a background
of vaulted entryways symbolically suggests his entry
in life. After the exhilarating frames revealing life
lived to its fullest, the facing wall suddenly stops
all movement. A magnified picture of the man on one
of his last boat trips, set against the background of
a vast sea and a remote, dark horizon, hints to other,
more remote horizons and vaster seas where his soul
must be keeping watch over his loved ones.
A personal,
painful exhibition, through novel technical, artistic
and personal approach, became an uplifting experience,
an inspiring lesson about life, values, qualities and
moral strength.
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