Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project

This looks like a fantastic show about the interconnectedness of the world. It’s open until July 5th, Tuesday-Sunday 12-6pm or by appointment. Location is the Blair Arcade Building (lower level) at the corner of Selby and Western, St. Paul, MN. If you can go, go!

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LIVING IN LIGHT April 24 – July 5, 2009 Opening Friday, April 24 ● 6 pm – 9 pm Wine and hors d’oeuvres Paintings by Kelli Bickman, Photog raphy by Connie Bickman, and Mixed-media by Iraqi War Kids Relief Everyday we are reminded of our how our lives intersect with others at home, at work and in our communities. This show brings to light how that interconnectedness extends around the world by encouraging us to bring home the playfulness of the Buddha and other deities, share the stories of women from around the world, and enter into the lives of children in war-torn Iraq. Come see yourself in the lives of others and then, like these artists, envision the role you play in making this a better world. Watch for the many special events during this extended 10-week show! To preview the current show, click here. After the opening, come visit us: Tues – Sun 12-6 or by appointment Salir a la Luz is located in St. Paul in the Blair Arcade Building (lower level) at the corner of Selby and Western (map). Or visit us on the web at: www.saliralaluz.com Handicapped accessible. Please call for information (651.340.1957). Additional parking across=2 0Selby courtesy of the St. Paul Urban League. Top: K. Bickman, Christ Buddha, 5′ x 7 ‘ Middle: War Kids Relief, Doll #17, 11 x 14 Bottom: C. Bickman, Aboriginal Dance, 11 x 14

Main Gallery Kelli Bickman is a multi-media artist who has traveled the world extensively and been fortunate to study with several spiritual masters, including the Dalai Lama and Geshe Micheal Roach. In 2007 she ventured to India and spent several months living in a Tibetian Buddhist Nunnery studying tangka paintings and temple art. Come see the influence of these experiences in the “Images of Enlightenment” paintings on exhibit at Salir a la Luz. Special events to follow. Left: Naga Om, 34 x 22

Minnesota Gallery Children’s Gallery We are pleased to carry over the popular exhibit by award-winning photojournalist Connie Bickman. With photos and stories from around the world, Connie let’s us enter into the lives of others to better see our own. Watch for coming events where Connie will share her own story and life-changing experiences! Above: Golden Offering, 11 x 14 The children’s art exhibit is from the War Kids Relief (WKR) program. WKR connects American and Iraqi youth through a program centered on a pen-pal and art exchange. Come learn how they empower children to become Youth Ambassadors for their countries, leading towards a more peaceful understanding between nations. Special events include mini-Youth Ambassador workshops and A Soldier’s March for Peace!

165 western avenue, suite 10 • saint paul, mn 55102 • www.saliralaluz.com • info@saliralaluz.com

Minneapolis artist Heba Amin was recently featured in a Star Tribune article about her work illustrating a book on female Muslim heroes (some of her illustrations are above). Amin says, “I’m very aware of cultural stereotypes. The image of Muslim women in the United States is of veiled, oppressed people who have no voice. But in fact, Muslim women have a long history of remarkable achievements.” A little-known but very true fact.

The book, “Extraordinary Women from the Muslim World,” was awarded a National Best Books 2008 Award and a Moonbeam Peacemaker Award. More info on the book can be found here.

On a (kind of) related note, EngageMN.com recently published an article on Muslim feminism and Muslim women in Minnesota: “For Muslim Women in Minnesota, Complex Identities”.

The Shape of Change is an expanded sculpture project, investigating Iraqi and American concepts of political change, independence and civic agency. People across both countries are answering questions ranging from the meaning of democracy to the importance of national identity. Answers will be collected in an open source data base and interpreted in several ways: as online data visualizations, physical sculptures, and a series of dialogues between paired Iraqi and American cities. Data will be publicly available for collaborations between Iraqi and American artists. As content evolves in response to political events, artistic renderings of the data will function as evolving representations of change.

The theme of change was ubiquitous throughout the US presidential campaign, and now that a new American president and many new regional Iraqi leaders have been elected, the need to discuss what political change actually means is imperative. The piece will explore if/how these concepts differ across cultures, and how desire for them is manifested or displaced.

If you are interested in the project, you can read more information here and fill out the questionnaire here. Pass the request along to people in as many different locations with as many different view points as you can.

Shape of Change Questions

1. In the current US elections, both political parties and voters across the country have cited the need for change, but people are seldom specific about what they feel change means. How do you define political change?
2. What do you feel would constitute meaningful change in your country? Do you feel this is possible?
3. What changes do you feel are required to improve the relationship between Iraq and the United States?
4. What do you feel constitutes true independence?
5. What do you feel needs to happen for Iraq and the United States to be fully independent of each other and when will you know that this has been achieved?
6. What do you feel constitutes true individual freedom? Do you feel this is possible in a democratic society?
7. Are you free to exercise choice in your life? Do you feel you have the ability to choose between meaningfully different political options in your country? If not, how might this situation be improved?
8. Do individuals have a political voice in your country? Do you enjoy freedom of expression? Do you feel that expression should ever be curtailed by government?
9. What is the potential for individuals to affect political change where you are?
10. Is national identity important and/or necessary? How would you describe your nation’s identity? Is it defined in relation to other countries?
11. What do you feel is the meaning of the word democracy?
12. What country and what part of that country are you from?

Muslim Peacemaker Teams, IARP’s partner in Iraq, recently hosted an art show for Iraqi artist Shaima’a Saad at the Youth & Sport Najaf Center. Below are some images from the show, which over 500 people attended. More »