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Desert art survives ancient feud -- barely
December 15, 1996
Web posted at: 10:15 p.m. EST (0315 GMT)From CNN Cairo Bureau Chief Gayle Young
GIZA PLATEAU, Egypt (CNN) -- Conceptual artist Lita Albuquerque learned the hard way about Middle East sensitivities.
Albuquerque spent months planning a massive art project in the Egyptian desert as a U.S. sponsored entry in a Cairo-based art competition.
But as she prepared to install the work, a two-day long process, it became embroiled in a controversy that threatened to scuttle it altogether. The reason: some Egyptians began to perceive her work as a Zionist plot.
(1.3 MB/37 sec. QuickTime movie)
Describing her original vision, Albuquerque said, "I saw in my mind a giant golden bee encircling the entire planet, and I thought it was a wonderful image."
But the original surveyor balked at the design, claiming that the hexagon honeycomb pattern resembled dozens of Jewish Stars of David. In the politically charged Middle East, critics became suspicious of her intent.
The project ground to a halt for nearly a week while Egyptian and U.S. diplomats sought a solution.
As a compromise, the honeycomb was replaced by a map of the stars represented by 99 large circles painted vivid blue.
This time, the results seemed universally satisfying.
Albuquerque won first prize in the international art competition. She represented the U.S., which paid $80,000 for the project.
U.S. officials regretted the controversy, but were determined to see the show through.
"I knew we had to complete it because if we did not ... that would be an indirect admission that the charges had been accurate," says Rex Moser of the U.S. Information Agency.
Related site:
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- "It Takes A Thousand Masters Praying To Melt One Heart Of Stone" - Lita Albuquerque
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