“From Occupation to Liberation” and Art in War Culture

"From Occupation to Liberation"

Blog by- Abby Miga

  

(Photo credit- Alexa B. Wilkerson (@alexabwilkerson) cultural activist photographer on Instagram) 

       Since October 2023, we have witnessed, as a country, Israel’s genocidal military campaign against Gaza. As we enter this sixth month of genocide, no art institution in New York City has called for a ceasefire despite multiple petitions and open letters being actively supported by artists and cultural workers. The NYC artists community is outraged, and as a form of peaceful protest, it demonstrates the power of art in the realm of activism outside the MET. These activists, Pro-Palestine, staged a demonstration displaying the power of art in war culture through a quilt named “From Occupation to Liberation.” The name signifies the rising death toll in Palestine being upheld by occupation and US military funding. The combination of music, movement, art, textiles, and speakers in my NYC community combine to signify a plea to call for a ceasefire and end genocide in Palestine. The 30-by-50-foot tapestry, created by 64 artists, exemplifies the power, emotion, and political standings art can hold in the culture of war activism.

This event showcases war culture and activism as an art form in our post-modern society. The magnificent quilt is impactful far beyond its size, encapsulating many artists’ time, effort, and skills to preach for a ceasefire. As an American witnessing the horrific events in Palestine recently, this protest reflects the complex and powerful emotions that demonstrate how war is experienced by me as a witness. Moreover, this war requires more than picking a side. It should be noted that it involves understanding the complex and long history between Israel and Palestine, which this blog cannot summarize. This cultural quilt, vital to me, represents a call for a ceasefire to stop this mass and gross genocide and bring peace. This gathering demonstrates peacefully building off a solid and empowering community of artists in NYC who share a passion for peace. It also builds resistance against museums for liberation and a ceasefire in Palestine. Art as a platform to protest and critique war questions motives beyond warfare and highlights the human cost and genocide as a result. As artists have done here, utilizing a visual and heartfelt medium conveys messages of empathy and solidarity to Palestine. Additionally, the diversity and representation in each square of the quilt act as a nod to the families currently suffering in Palestine through a predominantly red, green, and white color palate. Moreover, the illustrations of Palestinian families are forms of artistic expression that honor, reflect, and collectively memorialize the humans killed in Palestine. Physical art is a unique yet not new medium in war culture as it encapsulates an artist’s voice in a peaceful yet forceful manner for the population to examine, critique, and feel compelled to.

As someone who enjoys expressing my personal affiliations and emotions through art, I appreciate any public demonstration that does the same. The “From Occupation to Liberation” quilt represents much more than war activism to me; it pushes the boundaries of war media and brings together a community of activists and artists. The protest also stands on the morals of peace and ceasefire, which I respect. In any case, it is imperative to stand by your options in world conflicts, whatever they may be, and fight for what you believe. Using such a radical medium (quilting) and putting it out for NYC and the world to see is inspirational to artists everywhere. For as long as man has created art, it has played a multifaceted role in war culture, influencing public perceptions, shaping historical narratives, and providing a medium for expression and reflection on the profound impact of armed conflict on individuals and societies. Furthermore, art and its conceptualization and interpretation of it are universal. Requiring no literacy or translation, it is open for everyone to view and interpret without bias. I enjoy how these artists build off that to demonstrate activism for everyone to see and analyze, regardless of their native language. Unlike most documentaries or writings that require translation and can be captured by a particular demographic, art is a universal medium to preach. Thus, I encourage readers to investigate and delve into the world of art and its impact on war culture. I also applaud the artists who contributed to “From Occupation to Liberation” for the powerful message they have inspired regarding the call for a ceasefire of genocide in Palestine.

Reference

    Wilkerson, A. B. (2024). “From Occupation to Liberation.” photograph, New York, NY.