28.07.2011 / 20:55 hrs.
Making Them become We
Last Friday a bomb exploded 300 km away from us. Soon after this chaos in Oslo, the capital of Norway, more lives were lost as the same man killed over 70 people at a summer camp for young social democrats.
The perpetrator has written a 1.500 manifest where he describes his motives and his preparations for the attack. The police are still investigating but it is becoming clear that the terrorist had a mission to create a “pure Europe” and fight the multicultural society. To achieve this he attacked the representatives of an open and democratic society.
Bracelet by Heidi Sand, Oslo, Norway (Silver, oxidised copper)
What causes such a horrible reaction from someone? Is it lack of meeting other cultures, lack of impressions lack of friendship? Maybe it is, in that case it is pretty much the very same things that this man thinks he wants to “ clean out”.
Immediately after the massacre in Norway the news travelled fast through twitter and facebook. People close by wants to help. The word of how much blood the hospital needed, for example, was spread rapidly.
Peace Puffin, brooch by Felieke van der Leest, Øystese, Norway
(Textile, glass beads, silver plated metal, plastic animal, silver, cubic zirkonia)
In Sweden the terror attack is still headlining the news. People are reacting – or looking for ways to react. A famous Swedish comedian and writer, Jonas Gardell, reacted on the tragedy by joining the Norwegian socialistic youth network although he is over 40 and lives in Sweden. “It was the most effective way to make me and them become we”. He also encourage people to “grief now, but soon – join a democratic party, visit a mosque, participate in a pride parade, join amnesty, give shelter to a refugee in your home”.
White air, ring by Sigurd Bronger, Oslo, Norway.
(Hardfoam, lacquer, gold, steel, brass, plastic.)
Meeting new things, assimilate knowledge, being open to new ideas and opinions, takes some efforts. But we have the responsibility not to judge before we have investigated and to react on and discuss what we see. Not doing that is stupid, lazy and/or gutless. Let us fight fear and ignorance!
How do we react on terror? We recently got invited to an art project that started as a reaction against the increasing xenophobia in Sweden, and are very happy to participate in this. Right now this project is a good way to turn the frustration into something tangible, by simply using our hands.
With love,
Karin & Sanna
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