A Cat in Gaza

Mar 09, 2015
FAREstudio
banksy-gaza
A photograph showing a cat is everywhere on the media.
The cat is painted on what is left of a wall in Gaza. The author is the celebrated Banksy, and his aim is to draw attention on the situation there; apparently, to introduce a cat in the picture is an effective strategy to gain visibility.
Beside the curiosity to realize how the unidentified artist can enter and act anonymously in one of the most restricted area in the world, the plan works, and the image attracts interest.
The backdrop of the scene gives the opportunity to develop a few considerations from a specific point of view, the built environment of what is regarded as the largest [or one of the largest] jail currently operating.
What do we notice?
Plastic water tanks tell of the relevance of the issue. Rubbles are everywhere, side effect of a permanent conflict. A metal door shows a sort of decoration: what does it give access to?
The four storey building that still stands is exemplary of the ubiquitous ‘concrete slabs  and cement block masonry’ model that dominates the technological landscape of places like Gaza and others. No plaster, probably gone long time ago or never applied.
The paradox of universal presence of construction materials such as cement and steel on which Israel exerts a strict control is quite significant of the difficulties in shaping an alternative scenario for the next bombing. Buildings matter, eventually. One of the opening pays its tribute to vernacular culture by incorporating ‘arabic’ elements. Top floor is punctuated with exposed rebars, waiting for a future superelevation, a sort of destiny or anticipation of incompleteness. The Mediterranean light is sharp and evidences details. The situation is distressful.
Nevertheless, at the same time, there are people here and there, the place is inhabited.
Their existence, and resistance, are real despite destruction and desolation. They live and survive as clearly evident in the image.
 
[One of our colleagues is now there for a long mission aimed at alleviating as much as possible a condition that seems hopeless. Once again the limits of design and the ambiguity of our role are at stake.
Take care, ERT.]
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