Urban (conflict) art

Tuesday saw street art launched squarely at the art world’s radar with Bonhams successfully auctioning pieces by Banksy, D*Face and Faile for up to ten times their estimated value. 

Meanwhile, in a world far less glamorous, a similar principle is being applied in the Palestinian ‘Sendamessage’ project.  It’s an excellent way of using the ugliness of barriers to remind friends and loved ones, as well as Palestinians, that we’re thinking of them.  However, whilst it’s important to show that we care, it’s probably more important that we continue to probe the question of how we can get Israelis and Palestinians to care for one another. 

It's a question much pondered by my friend Asi – and it’s becoming increasingly clear to both of us that a full exploration into the power of social media in such cases is necessary.

Posted by: Simeon at sell-sell-sell time on Thursday, 7th February 2008