Six years ago I
went on a trip to Israel with a short stop in London. Many things about this
trip astounded me and several things about this trip were downright
devastating. One thing in particular that shocked me is how everywhere I went I
was treated as a criminal. Sometimes I believed it was because I am a white
male travelling alone, but there was an underlying hostility everywhere I went.
Even at monuments dedicated to peace and love such as the Dome of the Rock is more
closely guarded than any place I have ever been. Men with guns turned me away
every day and lied to me about being allowed in later that day. But it was not
only overseas that I felt this hostility. I have been scrutinized in many
places I go right here in America.
The images I have
created are a representation of the fear and closed off nature of the world as
it exists today. Instead of a nation taking it’s landmarks and making them a
free and open representation of their country, they have fenced them off and
frisked anyone who wants to get within a mile of them. This culture of fear has
spread through borders even. As an American citizen I can still be treated as a
terrorist or a criminal at any time.
Landmarks like the Dome of the Rock or Big Ben should be open symbols to
the world, but viewing these two things is one of the most difficult and toilsome
things I have ever done in my life.
The idea of war
and terrorism is not an easy one to overlook, but the fear and hatred it has
caused in the world is making borders thicker. It is not easy to travel or to
experience the world. It is not easy to view religious or historical landmarks
in peace. I hope in the future the fear that put up the fences fades and the
world can share it’s culture freely and peacefully.
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