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Introduction to the Other Side of the Holy Land, by Suzanne Klotz. The impetus for my work is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, laws applicable during times of war and peace for all members of humanity. The illustrations depict events I witnessed while in Palestine in the 1990's. The presentation includes documented facts about living conditions in Palestine, America's role in the Israeli military occupation of Palestine, and the non-relatedness of Zionism and Judaism. The presentation challenges commonly held misconceptions about the Israel-Palestine 'conflict', opening the door to dialogue about issues of paramount importance for Americans and the global community. Artist's Introduction: Suzanne Klotz Art reflects the values of a society and bridges the divide between the familiar and the unfamiliar. Art is invested with the power to elevate consciousness, illuminate the human spirit and unify humanity. My intent is to present my ideas through a unique interaction of materials, form and content. Each piece incorporates cultural iconography that, when inverted, reveal chimeras that may well be in our unexamined social consciousness. When military occupation of foreign soil is conveyed by media and press mediated by politicians it becomes too easy to romanticize destruction and death.. The misuse of vocabulary in the media plays a large part in public deception and ignorance. The intent of my current work is to encourage personal investigation of the 'facts on the ground' in distant lands as well as in our own back yard. The surface reality presented by those in power (the media, government, and institutions) is explored to reveal the impact of personal accountability on the moral and ethical standards of a society. Similarly, social relations involving authority and power are explored for their misuses and abuses of human rights. The work symbolically incorporates certain colloquialisms descriptive of the conceptual intent. The materials are used as metaphors of the beliefs and attitudes prevalent in western societies. For more see www.suzanneklotz.com Music: "Tulbah" by El-Funoun, www.el-funoun.org

palestine, israel, palestinian, documentary, occupation, eyewitness,