This Article is From Aug 22, 2014

Art Matters: Artists On War And Peace

Art Matters: Artists On War And Peace
After a month of war in the Gaza Strip that has left more than 1900 Palestinians dead - students, activists, artists, writers and poets came in solidarity to Jantar Mantar in the capital, to express their outrage against the barbaric war. Called the 'Global Day of Rage against Gaza', the group of protesters sent out a clear message that such an act of 'genocide' as many called, was not be accepted.

Amongst hundreds of posters and graffiti on display by the artists at the venue, what stood out was the recreation of the Gaza Strip wall and the loud message that such atrocities are uncalled for. "The idea was to create the Gaza strip wall, the conflict wall and as a protest sign from our side, to create posters and graffiti live in action... ", says Prof. Deepan Sivaraman from the Ambedkar University.

In a series of global protests in solidarity with the Palestinians, 6 Nobel laureates including Roger Waters and Judith Butler and scores of literary and musical giants lent their voice, by signing a petition which demanded among other things, the UN and world governments, to impose an arms embargo against Israel.

Taking a slightly contrary view, Indian visual artist Gigi Scaria says that it is impossible to boycott a country because there are different voices that need to be heard and they are not necessarily in blind support of the militaristic approach of the government.

Theatre artiste Anuradha Kapur, however believes, that the brutalized images of children and the propaganda of war, are becoming part of a silent habit of viewing. "I think images of war and violence are so much a part of a kind of every day affair on television but also, everyday affair on video games, so people get used to shooting a person or attacking...  but I think (this is) all the more reasons to be realized that this is not a video game and this is not a made up war..", she concludes. 
.