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Me: I want to re-create a some of the paintings I did between the ages of four and six! I still have them all! I want to select 8-10 pieces and recreate them, sticking as much as I can to the original color choices, composition, and subjects portrayed. The idea excites me so much!

Izz: Nice, but what does that mean?

Me: What do you mean, 'what does that mean'? Just recreating my visions as a child in light of my vision now.

Izz: But under what theme?

Me: I don't know specifically yet. Maybe childhood? But I honestly don't care about that now.

Izz: You have to! Because in order to reach out to people who might be interested in showcasing your art, it has to be contained within a certain theme, a frame of some sort.

Me: Explain more…

Izz: For example, how can you make it connected to Palestine?

Me: Why does it have to be connected to Palestine? Why can't I create art for the sake of sharing my vision of the world with the world? Things that move me, colors that speak to me… why can't I just create art in order to please the eyes and share beauty?

Izz: Because art is about creating something that can start a discussion, challenge the intellect… That is what the people in the art world are interested in. For instance, what you are creating right now is a "state of being" or an "expression of a state of being". It's not what is "hot" in the art movement nowadays.

Me: Is it not "hot" because it can't be categorized under "discussion worthy" or is it not "hot" because I am a brown artist who paints something broader than his ethnicity or his national identity? Why is it that white artists can paint whatever they want? Why do we have to be "ethnic" even in our art in order to be "hot" and "make sense"?

Izz: You certainly can create whatever you want. And I think in H’ai there is something very profound and unique that I believe has a place. I find it much more interesting than your portraits of Fairuz, for example.

Me: But Fairuz is more than just a colorful "expression of some sort"! Her impact is far more profound. She's not merely beautiful music; Fairuz is a tapestry of memories, locations, individuals, and emotions. Her musical legacy is a significant cornerstone in my life. Her music has been a constant companion since I was four years old! She has journeyed with me everywhere, on trains, cars, and planes, to diverse lands and destinations. Her songs are deeply woven into my emotional fabric, intertwined with scenes of joyous moments and past traumas. In a way, she represents a part of me! She is not just a face of a woman I paint! Yes, I do set certain technical challenges for myself every time I choose to paint something - that's how I grow technically as an artist - but there's a reason why I choose Fairuz. There is so much meaning behind what I choose to paint or draw. So much.

Izz: Beautiful! Did you write about that when you published the painting?

Me: I don’t need to write about why I paint what I paint and what it means to me every time I create something. Can I leave something to the gazer? Can I make her/him feel something without stuffing their minds with words? Are colors sufficient? Can colors convey something as profound as words?

Izz: Yes they can. I think what’s at the core of this discussion is not what you can and cannot do as an artist. You shared your ideas for an upcoming project and I just relayed to you some challenges that you might face. Curation is a big part of my studies at the moment.  Yes it is frustrating at times, and there is so much hypocrisy, and deceit. But at the end of the day part of what we study at art schools is how to preserve the value of art as an integral part of history and culture. A big part of our learning involves preserving art's inherent value as a critical component of history, culture, and the evolution of the human intellect. Art's fundamental value lies in its capacity to make the world a better place by inciting change and fostering connections between diverse races and peoples. Through art, we share the narratives of our histories and cultures. So again you can do whatever you want! As long as your art doesn’t turn into a commodity.  When an artist turns his work into commodity it just stops being art! 

Me: give me an example

Izz: like for example: (he names an artist) he started out beautifully and now all his art is printed on mugs and T-shirts and calendars. It just cheapens it. It’s not art anymore! It’s commerce! A tool for making more money. 

Me: what’s wrong with having your art printed on mugs? Isn’t a mug a valuable object that you use to drink water and coffee every morning?  

Izz: because it’s ugly! Because it’s capitalism at its worse! Mass production… produce produce produce in order to make more profit!

Me: I think the question here is in the intention and not the act itself. Meaning I have to ask myself before I decide to sell my art as prints “why do I want to do that? Is it only for profit? Do I appreciate seeing my art on tshirts and calendars? Does it make me happy? Or is it just for making money.”

Izz: regardless of the intention. The act of mass production cheapens the art. It becomes a “tool” 

Me: but art can be used as a tool!

Izz: I meant function.

Me: and function too… is pleasing the eye a function?

Izz: I see where you are going but turning art into a mere function in my opinion cheapens it. It’s not art anymore.  

Me: I disagree. 

Izz: when you enter a hotel, and see replicas of paintings hung everywhere to fill up space, that’s art? 

Me: I see what you’re getting at but again it depends on the intention.  It is much more complex than you make it sound.  Because there is the intention, and the act, and there is the whole question of money for artists living in the 21st century.   

Izz: I wouldn’t put something in my house produced in millions of copies and used by people everywhere. 

Me: I would if I happen to love that specific object. Do you wear jeans ? Did you paint the walls of your house white?

Izz: It’s not the same thing.

Me: It is!  The color white is both a function and a creative choice for decorating your house. My apartment in NY for examples has only two white walls. The rest are turquoise, light blue, orange& yellow.  Why? Because they aesthetically please me and my wife.  And they sit perfectly with the furniture. They mean something to me. 

Izz: we will agree to disagree