Duality

Artists' Statement: This is the first of the two designs for kites in last year's "original thinking" class at my visual communications school. The brief was to design kites that were to be flown all along Israel and Palestine, as a symbol of discussion between the two nations. I chose to make symbols, rather than a designed poster on this subject because I felt that these icons will be seen on a flying kite only if they are catchy. I was inspired by the "Eretz Israel Museum" symbol designed by the Israeli graphic designer Franz Krausz, seen on the lower left corner.I think the work has a certain duality, which captures our own dual and complex lives. It can be interpreted as two sides in a battling posture, as these ibexes stand on their hind legs ready to battle each other. The Wall is barricading, or perhaps saving the battling sides from their own hostility and war mongering. But it can also be interpreted that the Wall is an unnatural barrier, interfering with nature. Where there was once a tree, now stands a barricading Wall. The ancient relief on the ancient coin was once a clear sign of the fertility of our Promised Land, and a healthy connection to nature. Now it is re-interpreted as the unnatural sign of our unnatural, unresolved conflict. It seems that we can't stand living with each other, but also the separation seems unbearable. This is the reality and duality of living in the Promised Land.