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High Art
JO
Magazine
October, 2003 Issue 2
Words Sima Zureikat
From morning till night, the days
are spent in hours of production and critique. |
The month-long workshops of Marwan Kasab Bashi, aSyrian artist
based in Germany, which are held annually at Darat Al Funun,
are gaining legendary status among young artists across the
Levant. Sima Zureikat meets some of the participants to find
out what all the excitement is about.
There's canvas strung overhead, tied to the trees and sides
of an old Amman house, shielding the harsh sunlight from the
shadow-free faces of the students below. With beads of sweat
on their upper brows, they lean with comfort over each other
with a familiarity that is building like the day's heat. Their
jeans are stained with paint and their fingers dirtied by
the charcoal that has collected beneath the nails. They stand
semi-circled on a black tarp that protects the floor from
the occasional drizzle of ink and acrylic washes. As they
gaze towards the centre of their gathering sparkles kindle
in their eyes. In the centre seated on a golden tan stool
is their teacher who glows with the attention. The focus is
intense and thick. The entire setting is fashioned just for
art to happen.
There is a long-standing relationship between Marwan Kasab
Bashi, the Shoman Foundation, and Darat Al Funun. His annual
workshops held at "The Dara", which since September 11, 2001,
were put on hold, have developed a legend around them. The
event has become a Mecca for students in the Arab art community
eager to improve their skills. This year, students, some returning,
some new, from Palestine, Syria and Lebanon have again migrated
to Jabal Al Weibdeh to join their Jordanian counterparts for
a month long workshop.
From morning till night, the days are spent in hours of production
and critique. Here, the process of work and work analysis
are given the same weight. Any time not devoted to art, be
it through awareness, thought, research, or creation, is an
unfortunate waste of time. Where else can this attention be
possible?
His method is considered unorthodox. For Marwan, the proper
approach to understanding art lies not only in the technical
skills but also within the philosophy of art itself. In fact,
the synthesis of the two is a top priority for students to
learn. For 24 hours a day, their lives are intertwined in
the workshop with one goal in mind Ð to live will full immersion
in art. In this regard, to work on one's art is to work on
one's psyche. To understand one's own art is to understand
one's intention within oneself. The process is demanding and
teaches the students to be honest with their work. This emphasis
can rarely be grasped in school but requires such an intensive
platform that borders between instruction and therapy. In
other words, it's not just drawing and painting, it's a complete
head change.
When Marwan speaks, there's a sacred silence that fills the
air. Those who are lucky are able to grasp his words underneath
his strange mumbling tones; the others seem to rely on the
general vibe and reactions of others. Long pauses of thought
and contemplation follow. Sketches and drawings are sprawled
out before him while the students stand still scanning the
images and waiting for feedback. He spends anywhere from five
minutes to an hour going over each work, as each student waits
desperately for his or her turn.
At the end of the day, though, the emphasis of the workshop
is not Marwan, but the students themselves. Their interactions,
group discussions and relationships with each other shape
their experience of the workshop on the whole. There's a kind
of camaraderie between them, as they struggle to grow and
learn from each other. While Marwan helps to plant the proper
seeds, it is from within each of them that their personal
expression is born.
Interested in the experiences of the students and what brought
this group together, I asked each one of their relationship
with Marwan, their expectations in coming and what they have
gotten from the workshop now half way through.
"It's not just about the teacher but about a collective experience.
Everyone has a piece of himself he has brought with him, and
everyone has something to share. I came to search for myself
and my own style." - Akram Halabi, 22, Golan
"I participated in the workshop two years ago to study with
Marwan. He understands me more than most people. I came this
time to show Marwan what I have. I wanted to reconnect with
him to see where I now stand. I find my courage in him." -
Zeina Kamareddine, 29, Beruit
"The workshop was highly recommended so I came. I had no expectations
before the workshop. I was happy to find that Marwan understands
what I'm trying to do, maybe even when I'm not sure myself.
This is something that isn't available in other parts of the
region." - Nadim Mishlawi, 23, Beruit
"One reason I came was to discover Jordan. This workshop gave
me a good opportunity to spend time in the country. Here with
my work I am free to do what I want. Marwan encourages me
to go for it. He is very open-minded." - Ziad Bitar, 26, Beruit
"I took a workshop with Marwan in 2001. I came this year to
continue my study with him. This is where I can focus on my
art. Marwan is good at telling everyone what they need to
do and what to avoid. I want to get in touch with my feelings
more in my paintings. Marwan teaches me how to put all of
what I think and feel in my work." - Suhail Salem, 29, Gaza
"This is my third time with Marwan. The workshop gives me
the opportunity to paint, communicate and experience my work
with the other students. There are many other painters like
me and our group discussions are very helpful. It gives me
the opportunity to think more and go into more research about
my work. This is very difficult to do when I am alone in my
studio." - Raed Abrahim, 32, Beruit
"I heard from other students who came before about the workshop.
I thought this was a good chance for me to work with a professor
like Marwan. The atmosphere with the other students and the
clarity of Marwan's critiques are better than I expected.
My work has more depth than before." - Mohammed Ali, 21, Damascus
"Coming wasn't a choice - I had to come to see Marwan. It's
very important to listen when he speaks. He tells me a new
thing every morning, not just about art but about how to see
life and how to express what we see in our work." - Tammam
Azzam, 24, Damascus
"Although I graduated from the Fine Arts School in Egypt,
I gained a lot of experience so far. In school we take a very
academic approach - here, I am practicing things I wasn't
exposed to before. We concentrate on things on a deeper level
of feeling and emotion. Before, I learned to look at things
in an aesthetic way but now I see with passion." - Mohammed
Al Dabous, 25,Gaza
"I learned many wrong things in university, and for the first
time I feel I am learning what is right. Art is not easy.
The concept of why we do art is to fight for our existence.
We are learning to express ourselves truly with all honesty."
- Khalid Barakeh, 27, Damascus
"It's an academy, not just a course. I'm a teacher myself,
so it's also helped me in my career. The workshop is an eye-opener.
From the books, stories and critiques, I've learned how to
properly analyze a painting. I've learned from my colleagues
so much. They and the teacher make the circle of knowledge
I have." - Hanan Khalil, 31, Amman
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