A NIGHT IN TUNISA
My last words to you, dear readers, were “You will find me in the nearest bar.” That was May 6th, 2008. You might think I am still waiting for you. Not so. Four of my paintings are hanging in the official Residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia thanks to the ART in Embassies Program of our State Department. Last October the Ambassador invited me to Tunis to conduct workshops with Tunisian artists. The artists invited me to do a Group Painting according to Tunisian rules:
One person is given the honor of starting the painting. (That’s me).
Anyone can paint at any time and anyone can erase anyone else’s work.
I was also given the honor of deciding when the painting was finished which I did after three hours. Our painting looked like it had been done by a single artist. We called it "A Night in Tunisia."
"A Night in Tunisia" appeared on the front pages of the French and Arabic newspapers next to the election of Obama. The State Department was pleased. They told me, “The universal language of artists helps to bridge gaps in understanding as no treaty or aid package can.”
The Tunisian artists have invited me back for more painting. I leave next week. I will let you know what happens next.
One person is given the honor of starting the painting. (That’s me).
Anyone can paint at any time and anyone can erase anyone else’s work.
I was also given the honor of deciding when the painting was finished which I did after three hours. Our painting looked like it had been done by a single artist. We called it "A Night in Tunisia."
"A Night in Tunisia" appeared on the front pages of the French and Arabic newspapers next to the election of Obama. The State Department was pleased. They told me, “The universal language of artists helps to bridge gaps in understanding as no treaty or aid package can.”
The Tunisian artists have invited me back for more painting. I leave next week. I will let you know what happens next.
posted by David Black at 12:10 PM
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