Are Political Statements Art?

"She collects and compiles traces of Palestine, her homeland, and its military occupation by Israel."
"Invisible" exhibit brochure, Karsh-Masson Gallery, Ottawa City Hall

"Who gives me the right, or anybody the right, to pull an artist's work if it's not breaching some law of the land?"
Steve Kanellakos, deputy city manager, Ottawa

"It seems now it's beyond me and it's dangerous. I'm now concerned about the future of artists showing work of significance."
Rehab Nazzal, Toronto-based video, audio, photography artist

The Ottawa Citizen

The art exhibit in question, chosen for display at Ottawa City Hall's gallery, has created some local controversy with charges that some, if not all of its display is 'inappropriate'. The art in question was selected to appear in the gallery by what Mr. Kenallakos describes as an independent professional arts jury. As such, the exhibits and the views they express are not reflective of those of the municipal government.

Artists whose work is selected to appear in the Karsh-Masson Gallery on the ground floor of City Hall by the three-member arts selection panel are paid roughly $1,800 for the display of their work. Taxpayer-funded, in other words. The city has agreed, however, to review the selection process dating from a 1993 policy governing the display of artwork in the gallery. The reason for that is a protest lodged by the Jewish Federation of Ottawa.

And the meeting that took place Thursday between Israel's ambassador to Canada, Rafael Barak, with Mayor Jim Watson in discussion of the display in question may result in thinking again. According to the Jewish Federation, the display is disturbing to the Jewish community for a simple reason; that it "glorifies Palestinian terrorists". Artist Nazzel takes exception to that, claiming that her intention was to demonstrate her interpretation of her homeland.

In so doing she included in her display of video, audio and photography, photographs of Palestinians who were, she says assassinated. Footage from an Israeli prison is also included. To say that this display is politically charged is a gross understatement, But, says Ms. Nazzel, this is her view of her homeland. Complete with the inclusion of Dalal Mughrabi, a Palestinian behind an attack that killed over 30 Israelis.

Because Dalal Mughrabi is part of the collective memory of the Palestinian people, says the artist, her inclusion was quite legitimate. It is her art display and she should know. Unsurprisingly, the Palestinian General Delegation in Ottawa states that it "condemns Israel's assault on Canadian free speech". The artwork is scheduled to complete its appearance at the gallery until its closing on June 22.

Checkpoint signs, Rehab Nazzal