HOME FOR THE DISEMBODIED

Mary Tuma’s “Homes for the Disembodied”
One of her well renowned projects was Homes for the Disembodied in 2000. While living in Jerusalem, Tuma created a sequence of 5 black dresses all connected by a single 50 yards of black silk, folded across 24 feet of ground. Draped from the ceiling to the floor, hanging from the shoulders and neck on a wire, their phantasmal appearance offers an homage to loss and belonging. 

The loitering displacement of values to her affiliation of identity was maybe one of her most genuine applications to her personal and social integration. It was first shown at Al Wasiti Art Gallery in East Jerusalem, and gained international applause when exhibited through the Station Museum’s then touring exhibition “Made in Palestine” in Houston TX, 2003.

Homes for the Disembodied, 50 continuous yards of silk, 2000 

“I made this piece in response to the Israeli laws denying entry to Jerusalem by Palestinians who had been uprooted from the city in the 1948 and 1967 wars. They were not permitted to return to their homes, their city or even to visit holy sites or the graves of their loved ones. I decided to make a work that would offer a space for deceased Palestinians to dwell in spirit form. The piece is an offering to them and my own way of saying that in one form or another these uprooted souls will make their way home... The empty dress is a continuous theme in my work, used to evoke a sense of identity or spirit. In this case, I chose the form to honor the women of Palestine who seem able to cope with any hardship. They are heroic to me and an inspiration.” 

7 Days of Garbage

Global pollution problem! We all know what's going on right? but hardly anyone realizes just how much trash we produce daily. Gregg Segal, a photographer from California, aims to show this problem through powerful imagery, photographing people lying in their weekly load of trash. His ongoing project called “7 Days of Garbage” tries to portray people from different social backgrounds to reach largest audience possible .

Segal decided to photograph the participants in front of naturalistic backgrounds to show that the garbage produced by us is effecting it directly. “Obviously, the series is guiding people toward a confrontation with the excess that’s part of their lives. 

"I’m hoping they recognize a lot of the garbage they produce is unnecessary".

Tear Gas Flower Grenades

A Palestinian woman in the village of Bilin, near Ramallah, has planted a garden full 
of flowers grown inside of spent tear-gas grenades collected from clashes between 
Israeli soldiers and local Palestinians…

 

Porcelain and Ants

They come in all shapes and sizes, the elegant porcelain dishes, teapot and cups. But these are little different, this is a variant which we suddenly feel all itchy. The elegant porcelain dishes, teapot and cups are crawling with ants. This porcelain tea set was created by Evelyn Bracklow, Evelyn has produced this stunning tea set including all of the hand-painted ants. The ants are so life-like and placed in formations just like real ants mob a pile of sugar, that until you look closely, you are certain they are real. 

Women of War

Portraits of an All-Female Fighting Unit of the Free Syrian Army

I was blown away by the serie Women of War.

Women of War portraits are made by Photographer Sebastino Tomada. 

Photographer Tomada brings us great work from the forefront of the Syrian conflict, showcasing women from an all-female fighting unit of the Free Syrian Army based in Aleppo. Strong and with conviction, the women stand ready.

Sebastino Tomada Piccolomini was born in 1986 in New York City. After growing up in Florence, Italy, he returned to New York to attend Parsons University and the New School, graduating with a double major in media studies and photography in 2010. It was during his time in college that he began to develop a personal style, focusing strongly on documentary and portrait photography. 

Fadwa, 20 years old, widow with 3 children: 

"My husband died on the front lines, I will die on the front lines, 

may God help us."

Khansa, 42 years old, married, housewife with 7 children: 

“I feel optimistic, we will defeat the regime, put an end to poverty and mistreatment.”

Om Ahmad, 72 years old, housewife with 3 children: 

"My house in Dar’a was destroyed by 2 bombs…I moved to Aleppo with my family,

 I chose to pick up a weapon and fight the regime.”

Rana, 20 years old, student: 

"What choice do we have?”

Om Faraj, 30 years old housewife, no children: 

"Being mistreated by a regime security guard in front of my husband was the most 

humiliating thing that has ever happened to my family, I picked up a weapon, I joined the fight."

Amal, 30 years old, married, housewife with 3 children: 

"I'm sincere to God, that is all I need and want, the rest will come with time.”

Ali, 16 years old, student: 

"The West sees no problem in Syria, while we beg for their support, 

our children, friends and family are being punished, for no reason."

Benifet Ikhla, 27 years old, widow with 6 children: 

"I fight for life and freedom, I fight to prove that woman and man are equal."