Ulla Ahola

Untitled

Finland, 2010

Necklace

Materials:

Lead, thread

Techniques:

Hammered, knotted. Handmade

Dimension in cm:

75 x 27 x 1

Artist Statement:

I believe that one reason why the western

world cares about Middle-East is because

they have oil and that’s also the reason why

our media is so focused on what happens

there. My picture of Middle-East is mainly

based on what I see from TV. In that image

which media has created, violence, female

exposure, fundamentalism, fanaticism, and

Islamic terrorism are empathized. I know

that this image is twisted, but it is the only

image I will be offered. It is only a small

sample of the many-sided reality. If I want

the whole truth, I need to search deeper.

When the image of Middle-East is based on

the news, the act of a person so easily

becomes an act of people or group, and in

this case as an act of Islam. Islam is easily

considered specifying human behavior and

a word Muslim has turned to be an

attribute.

Prayer represents one of the most visible

form of the Muslim´s faith. It is believed

that the prayer brings person closer to the

god and strengthen believers faith. Muslim

doesn't consider prayer beads as jewelry,

only as device to help counting the prayers.

The beads have also the purpose of aiding

concentration and rhythm. Muslims prayer

beads contain 99 individual beads divided

on three sections to represent the 99 names

of Allah. The 100th means the completion

of one cycle of devotion.

It is believed evil spirits dislike dangling

things and the tassel is imagined guarding

against evil. Red is considered the opposite

of green, which is considered the color of

Islam. Red is the color of fire and blood.

Red color is referring to sacrifice.

What was your starting point or your

inspiration for doing this project?

A Friend of mine told me once; “when I get

on bus or other public transportation and I

see Arab looking person sitting there I

immediately associate  him/her

representing the religion of Islam. I don't

want to go near him/her and I want to get

out of the vehicle because I fear that he/she

may be carrying a bomb”

What were the main reasons for choosing

the materials, shapes or technique in your

work?

I chose lead because it is toxic material.

The poison assimilates through the skin

and the fatal dose is accumulated during

the use of these beads for prayer. The feel of

hammered lead is important in this piece.

As a material lead is heavy, cold and

dangerous. Use of these beads for prayer

will be lethal during the time.

Personal information:

personal website:

http://www.paxastop.net/ullaahola/

artist links

http://www.korutaideyhdistys.fi/Ahola/

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