Firas Farrah
Palestine
Theater Performer, Researcher, and Lecturer at the University of Dar Al-Kalima Bethlehem
Performing Arts, Cultural Policies
Firas Farrah
Palestine
Theater Performer, Researcher, and Lecturer at the University of Dar Al-Kalima Bethlehem
Performing Arts, Cultural Policies
Researcher
Cultural Policies and Research
Report on Cultural Policies in the Arab Region
2020
Student
Master Of Cultural Policy and Cultural Management
2018
THESIS TITLE: Public Art in the Old City of Jerusalem and the Issue of Participation
Abstract:
The Old City of Jerusalem is considered a historical site, a convergence point and a shared public space in the divided city of Jerusalem. The city is home to a diverse population, and the cultural differences are manifested by various languages, religions and cultural identities. These differences have become a source of conflict, often manipulated for political gain. The old city offers diverse cultural activities and events using a multitude of creative mediums. Notably, public and participatory arts are considered prominent interpretive tools that contribute to the development of archeological sites. However, the cultural content conveyed through these artistic endeavors often carries with it narratives that favor the dominant group in the city’s landscape. The conceptual framework of the research relies on previous literature about the cultural field and rights as well as the related policies. It seeks to understand the cultural rights of Palestinians who have become a minority in the city, as well as their human rights to actively engage in art projects as a form of cultural expression, given the decline of artistic participation inside the city. To achieve these endeavors, the study has constructed a comprehensive theoretical framework designed to assess the opportunities for public art engagement within the city. Through triangulation, the research was able to encompass quantitative, qualitative and documentation methodologies to analyze and describe this phenomenon. This approach has yielded valuable insights into the opinions of people in Jerusalem regarding public arts and spaces. Additionally, it provided data on the current levels of participation, its possibilities and the factors contributing to its decline. After closely examining the requirements for participation, the study found that some of them were not being met. This led to a decline in the active involvement of Palestinians in public art projects within the city. It became a roadblock to using public art as a tool for shaping the place in an effective way. Therefore, it appeared to favor one perspective, namely the Israeli narrative, potentially impacting the city's diversity and the preservation of its historical and cultural heritage and erasing the collective memory. This one-sided approach could overshadow other perspectives. Consequently, some individuals might feel rejected and deprived of their cultural heritage, potentially fueling ongoing conflicts in the city.
The Old City of Jerusalem is considered a historical site, a convergence point and a shared public space in the divided city of Jerusalem. The city is home to a diverse population, and the cultural differences are manifested by various languages, religions and cultural identities. These differences have become a source of conflict, often manipulated for political gain. The old city offers diverse cultural activities and events using a multitude of creative mediums. Notably, public and participatory arts are considered prominent interpretive tools that contribute to the development of archeological sites. However, the cultural content conveyed through these artistic endeavors often carries with it narratives that favor the dominant group in the city’s landscape. The conceptual framework of the research relies on previous literature about the cultural field and rights as well as the related policies. It seeks to understand the cultural rights of Palestinians who have become a minority in the city, as well as their human rights to actively engage in art projects as a form of cultural expression, given the decline of artistic participation inside the city. To achieve these endeavors, the study has constructed a comprehensive theoretical framework designed to assess the opportunities for public art engagement within the city. Through triangulation, the research was able to encompass quantitative, qualitative and documentation methodologies to analyze and describe this phenomenon. This approach has yielded valuable insights into the opinions of people in Jerusalem regarding public arts and spaces. Additionally, it provided data on the current levels of participation, its possibilities and the factors contributing to its decline. After closely examining the requirements for participation, the study found that some of them were not being met. This led to a decline in the active involvement of Palestinians in public art projects within the city. It became a roadblock to using public art as a tool for shaping the place in an effective way. Therefore, it appeared to favor one perspective, namely the Israeli narrative, potentially impacting the city's diversity and the preservation of its historical and cultural heritage and erasing the collective memory. This one-sided approach could overshadow other perspectives. Consequently, some individuals might feel rejected and deprived of their cultural heritage, potentially fueling ongoing conflicts in the city.