Alfred Marseille (Artist) and Jan Baeke (Poet) representing Netherlands in Art For Humanity’s “Dialogue Among Civilizations” Print Portfolio 2010.

Alfred Marseilles Watchers Digital Print 630mm x 480mm

Artist Statement:

Alfred Marseilles (Artist)

In the demilitarized Zone between North Korea and South Korea stands a government building. Inside this building there is a blue room with a blue door. In front of this door a soldier stands guard. This door is,
or probably by now, was, the only way to cross the border between the two countries. On Flicker there are quite a few pictures of this room, mostly taken by South Koreans visiting relatives in the north.We took this pictures to produce an image that is, as the ‘Checkpoint Charlie’ of the 21th century, a worst case scenario when talking about the ‘Dialogue among Civilizations’, distorted and ritualised by political, cultural and economic barriers, and, in the text, also extends the metaphor to personal relations and personal identity.

Poet Statement:

Jan Baeke (Poet)

I’m always intrigued even fascinated by the way hope and expectations, illusions and disillusions interfere in a person’s attempt to grasp reality.And we all know (or should know by experience ) that reality is hard to grasp. Which means we better try to tone down the things we’re so sure of. Just keep in mind that all dialogue starts with two people that take one another seriously and accept each others existence. A dialogue among civilizations isn’t extremely different. Consider every person as a civilization on its own, usually a similar one as the one you represents. Start talking. Use words, if that’s convenient. Read carefully. It’s written all over one’s smile. It’s likely we share mutual fears and pleasures. We have a dialogue.

Poem by: Jan Baeke
Like We Know Each Other

Like a man and a woman
are themselves in theory
and their own name, their own door
their own soldier between two blue borders
the blood vessel under their skin
skin as a fist’s aftermath
the oncoming conversation without a passport.
A reader bending over
to read for the first time
the word for milk carefully.

Dutch Translation:

Zoals we elkaar kennen

Zoals een man en een vrouw
zichzelf zijn in theorie
en ook hun eigen naam, hun eigen deur
hun eigen soldaat tussen twee blauwe grenzen
het bloedvat onder de huid
de huid als nasleep van een vuist
het naderend gesprek zonder paspoort.
Een lezer die zich voorover buigt
om het woord melk
voor het eerst goed te lezen.

Isizulu Translation by Rosethal Lolie Makhubu
Njengoba sazana

Njengendoda nomfazi
bayibo ngokomqondo
namagama abo, umnyango wabo
bangamasosha ngokwabo phakathi kwemingcele emibili eluhlaza okwesibhakabhaka
imithambo yegazi ngaphansi kezikhumba zabo
isikhumba esinjengemvelamuva lesibhakela
ingxoxo eza ngaphandle kwephasiphoti.
Ofundayo agobondele
ukuze afunde okokuqala
igama elithi ubisi ngokuqophelela.