Paradise When..., a photo from West Bank, Est

Photographer's Note

Freedom grafiti...the dream of freedom is surreal to most Palestinians, who have known nothing but military occupation. (Please see othe wall shots).

The 25-foot high wall snakes well inside Palestinian territory, often taking odd angles and turns in order to confiscate prime farmland and water sources. This eventual 400km barrier makes the Berlin Wall look like a white picket fence.

I was pro-Israeli before going. Now I am pro-Palestinian, AND pro Israeli!! Clearly the extremes of both have descended into hellishness, but one has all the power. You can guess which side inflicts more hell on the other, much more, though your daily news isn't like to share it with you.

rozy975, fireflyz, vasilis, Dakota55, aflat, Vagabond, randompics, Betty, rahul__rahul__ trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

don_narayan (2014) 2005-09-09 20:48 [Comment]

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WoodPigeon (457) 2005-09-09 22:39

Wow, I'm not sure why nobody's written you a critique.

There was a discussion the other day about graffiti and whether they are just acts of vandailsm or a means of expression.

If your picture, it is clear what graffiti is used for.

Overall, I think the picture is good... but what is really a bit annoying is that the fencing and wires in the foreground are neither here nor there.

I think it's a very good idea to have the barbed wire in the picture, because if you didn't, it'd just be a picture of some painting.

But overall, I'd say it's a nice shot... and very powerful message...

jstewart (1150) 2005-09-10 1:40

Very interesting image with a strong message to go with it. Lets call it photopolitical. Well done.

eleparc (24063) 2005-09-10 9:11

I love that Bennett! i have the feeling this is a ws but it does not bother me. the message is clear and I fully agree with you.. extremism as a whole is detrimental to mankind!

bboss (3578) 2005-09-10 11:54

Good job, a rare photo with a clear political message. I like that a lot, and its hard to get that in a photo - usually the meaning is ambigious and we rely upon the accompanying text to tell us what to think about it.
And of course its rare to see a photo from Palestine on TE (not exactly a tourist destination I guess).
We should remember that its important to talk about politics, and I applaud you for helping to stimulate thoughts on this difficult issue.
cheers , David
(I am not sure you can be pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli at the same time though)

fireflyz (2097) 2005-09-12 20:03

Hi Bennett!
An excellent capture to show the other side of the story. I shake your hand!
Best Regards,
Skye

philip_coggan (11) 2005-09-12 20:32

Good image. I agree with woodp. that the wire should be in focus.

Quentin (5280) 2005-09-16 16:13

Hi Bennet
Beautiful and very artistic picture!

(About your discussion with don narayan)

I just read this comment and the following speach between both of you and I am really disapointed... You know when I am watching news on TV and reading some articles about middle east I really sometime hate extremist palestinian when a suicid bombing attack is committed as much as I hate extremist jews when they kill children, distroye houses and built that horrible wall... So what ?? Should I use a palestian people to kill a jews or a jews to kill a palestinian people... My god!!...(no sorry not mine but the one of all human being) How it is possible???

What is so different between a jews and a palestinian for their are not able to live together??? They both love their children. Are intelligent. Have the same body. Just want to live quietly. All the same appart they don't read the same "holy" book...

You know you both should go in south india where there is a city in which in an area of about 1 kilometer squarre you can see a mosque a cynagogue an orthodox church and an indou temple. And you know what?? Everybody in this city seems really happy! How it can be possible? Explain me ? They even don't want to know who was the first there? Don't worry they are human being like you and me not more...

So according to me the most responsible people for this terrible and endless situation in middle east are people who believe that it is possible to live together but don't do anything.... Just complain about the situation... crying... and even don't thing that a non violent action is possible to solve this situation. Befor I was really disapointed too because I bielived that I was one of these people just wanted a better world but doing nothing. But little by little by travelling reading (even Holy books) and meeting my neibours from earth I discovered that it's unfortunately not possible to move mountains and resolve the problems which are bigger than us but it is possible to help my old portuguese neighbour to clear these garbage cans to smile to people in the street and especially to share my ideas with the others and to accept and understand theirs.

I whish you all the best.
Regards
Quentin

"An eye for eye and the whole world will be blind..."
Mahatma Gandhi"

KellEy (1237) 2005-09-21 22:19

A very interesting photo. I almost thought the background was real... shows my naivity I suppose.
Your note was the clencher.
Funny how we believe what newspapers say but question the Bible.
I think we should start questioning what the newspapers don't say...
Thanks for sharing!

Nicola2004 (104) 2005-11-09 12:48

aww this picture makes me very sad. Ive seen the wall in September and this is one of so many paintings that disply the peoples desire for freedom and joy... This is a good shot

suhan (3552) 2006-02-26 0:20

hello,
we like the picture, and the idea of peace.
tfs
Süleyman-merve

rafid76 (0) 2006-05-16 5:54

I totally respect and agree what you say, this is a great shot. this is Isreals wall of shame, how can they do this after going thru the holacust, how can they inflict even more pain humailation on the palastanians and excpect them to do nothing just to sit and take it! im against violence in all forms but ISreals has the bigger responsibility and power to stop violence since palastine is has no real governement. anyways this subject can go forever.
god bless!

teacozie (1377) 2006-05-25 4:48

Yo Bennett!

It's a nice grab of the stencil seen here, I think for a photo the wire in the foreground adds to the telling of the situation.

On a side note you might be interested to know of the artist that did this Stencil graffiti. You can view his work on his website here: www.banksy.co.uk

He is well published and is a master of urban guerilla warfare :P

jimmy_earl (24) 2006-05-27 14:26 [Comment]

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osh (402) 2006-05-27 14:45

nice picture and excellent title....is the beach on the graffiti a poster or what? or is it a photoshop you've done?

anyway well donbe and thanks for sharing

Vagabond (5848) 2006-05-27 15:03

Very good record. Excellent image and notes. Congratulations ..
Rui

schobi (187) 2006-06-20 10:32