preparation
This morning in my studio
Future
How will the future of the Mudhif look in Holland? I have a lot of ideas. But first I have to go there, collect a lot of material and after that I am imaging the Mudhif will a rise out of the earth on the water like a sphinx. Last week we have bought the tickets and now we wait on the visa for Iraq. The minister of foreign affairs of Iraqi was outside the country so we have to wait because he is the only person who is in charge of this. For 14 days from now we have spent our first day in Al-Mahara. The pictures as you see to day are from the building up from the Mudhif and also the inside of a Mudhif. The soldiers are here the guest of the Iraqis.
Inspirering
Thomas Bartels my cameraman send me this link. Perhaps a good idea when the Mudhif comes to Europe. Nice transport along the rivers of Europe. I will tell you more about it later.
Water Water
On this image you see the different periods’ of the Marshlands during the ages. And according to Mr. Marsoomi it still exists. Unfortunately the boat lying on dry land happens more and more in these days. There was a incredible hot summer so also for that. They will pray for rain now. The rain period starts in November. Let me take some from here.
On this image you see the different periods’ of the Marshlands during the ages. And according to Mr. Marsoomi it still exists. Unfortunately the boat lying on dry land happens more and more in these days. There was a incredible hot summer so also for that. They will pray for rain now. The rain period starts in November. Let me take some from here.
Last night I received our route planner from Mr. Marsoomi by email. At the same moment I was at skype with Thomas and as you see we are both very happy with this plan. Our trip is becoming more and more concrete. Mr. Marsoomi told me that there are still 300 places in the Marshlands who are very valuable for historical research. He likes to have attention for this before an oil company just start digging. That’s the problem with the Marshlands they don’t have pyramids’ or amphitheatres to show to the world. The history of the Marshlands is older and more vulnerable. Their way of Building houses is not for eternity. But I am not an archaeologist and not a worker on the university I am an artist and very interessted in their way of living. I want to research how the people will respond on a house brought in by the West and what does that mean for their way of living. What can we learn from their building techniques, which they are using already for ages? And how can I bring that here to arise some awareness about our history.
Khanim Amien
Last week I was visiting Amsterdam Noord and by chance I met Khanim Amien. A woman born in the north of Iraqi. She came to Holland during the Saddam regime. Khamin has an impressive life story and now she manged to do what really makes her happy. Painting. She is born in 1939 and from that moment she started with learning and always, although the circumstances where not easy she tried to stay close by herself. Through her creativity she never stops finding solutions for her changing difficult circumstances. In the Netherlands she immediately started to learn Dutch and she was able to spend a lot of her time painting. It is- just- a women life ‘s like there are a lot more over the world and through history. She married at 17 years with a man who was much older with already six children. She had to take care for his children and her own after a period. In the mean time she studied for midwifery. Because of this medical knowledge she takes care of the wounded during the Iran /Iraqi war and when the war started in the north of Iraqi she has to flee for her live and that brought her to Amsterdam Noord. And of course there is a lot more to tell. Like the people in the Marhslands and every were in Iraqi she also suffered form the Saddam period and there for I think it is important to mention her. Her work is very colorful and cheerful. Opposite from her direct life experience. A meeting in Amsterdam Noord on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Her site www.Hajikhanim.exto.nl
Geologic map of Iraki
Now you see how little is still there from the former Marshlands. Perhaps in 10 years it will be disappeared. And the only thing what can be there, an artificial lake and reed huts to show us how it was
The curiosity was so big that the public asked for a new gathering when we are back from our travel. We like doing that. We will leave on the 31 of October and we will be back before the 31 of November. Later more. On the picture you see Mr. Ahmed Faraj and me talking. The other image is of the dream of Ahmed. His floating village in the Marshlands.
[dutch]Helderheid[/dutch][english]Clarity[/english]
I really like textile, wind and soft after noon light and that all I got when
I cycled yesterday to Arcam where I had to present my lecture.
It was an inspirering gathering and I am convinced that the visitors went a way with a full head of new ideas and questions. I really like it although my brains are very am orphic after last night. I have to search for words to describe the gathering.
The main issue was, is it moral responsible that we transport in this case houses of the west in an aria where the circumstances are far away back in time. And the answer last night was yes. The specialists from the Middle East were totally convinced with that. And of course in this case it is important to mention that only the knowledge goes there. All the materials will be produced in the country it self.
My project is named -Twee Stromen land- that means a land between two rivers. After last night I realize that in this whole project my project is also a project between two rivers and I have to take care that the water will stay clear in my stream. And for sure I need a producer for the project. And now I go to do my sport perhaps that brings some clarity.
[dutch]Life, oh life, oh li-i-fe [/dutch][english]Life, oh life,oh li-i-fe[/english]
This afternoon I had my first chat with Marsoomi through Skype. Mr Marsoomi is the head of the Iraqi Society For Marshes Restoration and Development and our host. He is very happy with our
coming travel to the Marshlands and organized already a whole program for us. I really hope we can stay for a few days in the Reed villages to sleep there and awake up there. To hear the birds sing through the reed and the boats gliding through the water. I will asked him next time although I know he is a reader of this blog so….I am wondering what is happening with the making of the clothes for Dorinde and me so I asked him to send me a picture of the person who was in charge with it. Not handmade, his daughter will buy it on the market. So please then a picture of the salesman/or women. For sure it will be a man. I remember in the Kasbah in Damascus as well as in Istanbul as well as in Aleppo the entire salesman where man also in the lingerie business. Amazing this contrast between the totally veiled women and all that lingerie sold through man. This is only a thought of course I don’t know how it will be in Iraqi lingerie shop!
coming travel to the Marshlands and organized already a whole program for us. I really hope we can stay for a few days in the Reed villages to sleep there and awake up there. To hear the birds sing through the reed and the boats gliding through the water. I will asked him next time although I know he is a reader of this blog so….I am wondering what is happening with the making of the clothes for Dorinde and me so I asked him to send me a picture of the person who was in charge with it. Not handmade, his daughter will buy it on the market. So please then a picture of the salesman/or women. For sure it will be a man. I remember in the Kasbah in Damascus as well as in Istanbul as well as in Aleppo the entire salesman where man also in the lingerie business. Amazing this contrast between the totally veiled women and all that lingerie sold through man. This is only a thought of course I don’t know how it will be in Iraqi lingerie shop!
This evening I had dinner with Thomas Bartels the cameraman and Sam Simons the sound engineer. It was about getting to know each other. And of course making fantasize about the travel. Talking and sharing I get the idea to take a Polaroid camera with me. To be able to leave also images there not only taking. Tomorrow we will have a meeting in my studio with every body of the group who is going to Iraqi. Dorinde, Thomas, Sam and Ahmed will be there. This is the first and the last meeting as a group before we see each other on the airport at the end of the month.