Art spreads the word of peace

Jul 14 2008 By Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

A CULTURAL exchange programme that sees Liverpool artists working alongside visiting talent from the Arab world, marks the start of a four-year project that will grow as it travels the globe.

A team of artists is currently producing individual pieces which will be joined together to form a giant 3D structure.

After work is completed in the city, it will move on to a different continent each year, before returning to the UK for the 2012 London Olympics.

The project is called Planet Art Exchange, or Pax.

Curator Lofti Kaabi said: "This is a four-year project that starts in Liverpool and then will tour the world, like an artistic Olympic torch.

"It addresses different issues each year, and this year it is the relationship between the Arab world and the West.

"The idea is over the four years to create a monumental installation made of aluminium and flexi glass that will have a 1,000m sq shell.

"In each of our stages, we will gradually create the shell, the idea is to make the installation grow all the time."

A group of 15 artists from 10 Arab countries is currently in the city working on the piece, which will go on display as a work in progress at the Liverpool Biennial. More than 150 artists worldwide have so far signed up to take part.

Tunisian-born Mr Kaabi said: "Liverpool is European Capital of Culture, so this is a good start for the project. It will be like the Olympic torch, touring the world for four years.

"The message of the artists to the world will be let’s make our differences part of us, not a reason for conflict."

"It’s not only about working together but living together as well. Local artists are housing the visiting artists and many friendships have developed."

An accompanying exhibition, Oceans Apart, is now on display at the International Gallery and Tito’s, both on Slater Street, until July 17.

Iraqi artist Saffa Hashem, who now lives in Leicester, said: "When we came here, nobody knew other people, but the artists have become friends very quickly. For me, this interaction between people of different backgrounds gives you an inspiration and energy that is wonderful."

Speaking through an interpreter, Moroccan artist Fouzia Jaidani said: "I am taking part in this project to work with the artists and experience the cultural exchange. The creativity and good feeling between artists from all different countries is fantastic."

Egyptian Gamal Ez said: "When I heard about this project, I thought ‘I’ve got to make something’, because it is such a positive thing."

"Just to make contact with the city and meet people from different cultures, I really love it. It’s a pleasure to be here."

Liverpool artist Ruth Dillon said: "There’s a lot in the media about our cultural divides, and this exemplifies that art is art, that it speaks for itself."

vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk