I want to be more clear about my preparations when creating work, so this time for my Lebanon project I will type out and publish all the lists I make when coming up with ideas. They can seem quite abstract so I'll try and explain what's going on if I can.
Next month my intention is to be in Lebanon, In one of my sketchbooks I was going through my head making connections between all the things I know about this place, looking for some sort of spark I can use as a starting point to focus the enquiry, my research, that will take place when I'm out there.
THE PLACE – what is a state? – why place? – perceptions of place – comparisons – education ( use Ann franks diary– the story of it being taken of curriculum in north Lebanon but not south )
Falangists – Franco - accidental shooting – Spanish king - accidental hero
King Juan Carlos of Spain, in the right place at the right time, accident of history became the man credited with moving Spain from fascism towards democracy.
is also accidentally still entitled the King of Jerusalem , his French Bourbon ancestors having bought the title from Naples. The Duke of Naples being connected to the 1st Crusade. Accidentally shot and killed his brother when they were both teenagers. Accidentally fell off a horse when on a hunting trip in Africa, during Spain's current financial crisis.
I could also bring to mind the day that the Palestinian liberation organisation left Beirut. They were ordered out in an agreement between the Israelis the Americans, the Lebanese and the Syrians. Despite this seeming defeat they celebrated it as a victory firing many gunshots into the air, so many in fact 4 people were killed when the bullets came back down. there were no apologies for this.
The Spanish Phalangist ( fascist militia groups and ideology) having inspired their Lebanese counterparts. Phalangist named after a Roman defensive unit. names so, in most probability, to inspire recognition of the Phalangist as defenders of the Christian faith.
Futility - fluidness of borders.
OFF Margins ? - Europe - East
Crusades – told in unexpected way
Living in biblical times? Make comparisons between the Civil War in Syria and the Crusades. Put people off assumptions about East versus West. Show in book the reader that the Middle East and Europe are always intricately connected.
We are all Europeans thus we are all romans thus we are Byzantines.
We are all Germans, the Germans are to the Romans but what the Turks are to the Byzantines.
We are all turks?
Turkish fiefdoms defended and liberated the Middle East from the European Crusaders.
