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Artists
in Town
At the Crossroad between the West and Middle East, 'Artists
in Town'
Anouck Bronee - Special to The Star
July 2003
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A total of
12 artists from Jordan, the Mediterranean and the European
Union have gathered at Darat Al Funun, to work together and
to create sculptures, paintings, collages and other artistic
achievements. The workshop, entitled Artists in Town, started
on June 25th, and ended July 1st Ð a week to meet, to work,
to bond, and to create. The workshop ended with the opening
of the exhibition on July 2nd, where art pieces from each
artist is featured. The workshop has enabled different cultures
and diverse artistic perspective to meet and to influence
each other, bringing a special international and multi-cultural
dimension to the exhibition.
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Artists
in Town was initiated and organized by the European Commission
Delegation in Amman. "The idea behind this project is to
bring the people of the Mediterranean and the Arab together.
Through the practice of their love for art, the artists have
learned from each other, and the styles inherent to each nationality
has instigated artistic exchange and dialogue," explained
Robert van der Meulen, head of the European Delegation, Amman.
This was a sentiment shared by the artists attending the workshop,
"You find more art in you," affirmed Hanan Khalil,
one of the six Jordanian artists. "Working with people
coming from different parts of the world has given me connective
energy," she added.
Along the
Jordanian artists participating in the project, the European
Commission also invited artists from Italy, Iraq, France, Syria,
Spain and Germany. It is important for the artist to be in harmony
with the environment they work in, "That is why we chose
Darat Al Funun" Mr. Van der Meulen added, "it is in
the heart of Downtown Amman, so that sets the authenticity,
and yet it is a peaceful, calm, green area which represents
an ideal location to find inspiration."
The European guest artists also had the opportunity to visit
Petra before the workshop. All agree that their visit to the
ancient Nabataean city was a breath-taking experience, which
has marked their stay in Jordan and helped them to work creatively.
The exhibition exposing the work of the 12 artists will run
from July 2nd until July 23rd at the Darat Al Funun-Khalid Shoman
Foundation, in the heart of old Downtown Amman. |
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