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Does art belong in a combatÌýzone? ÌýDr. George Rivera of the Å·ÃÀ¿Ú±¬ÊÓƵ Boulder Art Department believes it does. ÌýWith onlyÌýa portable printer, Rivera collaborated with universityÌýstudents in Boulder and in Bethlehem, Palestine to create an international art exhibit. ÌýHe receivedÌýan ASSETT Development Award last year to purchase the portable photographic printer and photographic paper that were necessary to create the bare bones exhibit. Ìý"[The ASSETT Development Award funding]Ìýresulted in an exhibition entitled HOME/LAND, which consisted of 40 art pieces of Image and Text presented in the Visual Arts Department of Dar al-Kalima University College of Arts & Culture in Bethlehem, Palestine ..." says Rivera, who collaborated with Professor Johny Andonia at the Dar al-Kalima University College in Bethlehem, Palestine. ÌýThe portable printer enabled the exhibit to take place, "without the expensive shipping," that an overseas exhibit would normally require, Rivera explains. ÌýHe points out that aÌýphoto printer may not normally be easily available in Palestine, and, "Without the equipment, you can't do this ... I think that's what these awards are meant for."

RiveraÌýtook pictures of students at both universities and invited them to respondÌýinÌýeight words or fewer whatÌýhome, land, or homeland meant to them. ÌýTheir responses included:

• "2 towns 2 axis the center home"
• Home is where I want to raise a family.
• Home is where I'm accepted
• Home where I Feel safe
• Where there is good food
• Home Is A Place I'm Looking for

Rivera explains that the process of coupling an explanation with a photograph of someone is an extension of the Conceptual Art Movement that matured in the 1960s andÌý1970s, in which, "It's the idea that drives something, rather than the image," he says.

Why Palestine?

Through the exhibit, Rivera aimed to illustrate the universality that exists in all people, despite our differences of nationality, ethnicity, and religion. ÌýHe says that participating in the exhibitÌýwas an, "Opportunity to know others in the world betterÌý... [and]Ìýto help students think internationally and globally." ÌýHe says the exhibit was intended:

"To remind people that they have something in common with other human beings--to remind them that they are not as isolated as they think they are. ÌýThat makes us one ...ÌýWe get caught up too much in categories.Ìý Underneath all of those categories are human beingsÌýlike you and me."

When asked about the decision to exhibit in a combatÌýzone, Rivera responds, "Students have to learn how to deal with change and diversity ... [These are] universal issues no matter where we live that we all have in common." ÌýRivera says that he believes that art can "transcend" the boundaries and politics of this world that moreÌýoftenÌýdivides us: "Art is life, and life is art. ÌýThere is not a separation ... IÌýbelieve we can change the world with our presence." ÌýHe quoted the lateÌýGermanÌýphilosopherÌýHerbert Marcuse in The Aesthetic DimensionÌýin saying, "'Art cannot change the world, but it can contribute to changing theÌýconsciousness and drives the men and women who could change the world.'"

Rivera also explained that the opportunity for students to present atÌýan international venueÌýis exceptional:

"...ÌýASSETT funds enabledÌýstudents in our Art Department to have international exhibitions and allowed us to print the art of image and text of students from other universities as an exchange between our university and an international venue. ÌýThank you for the ASSETT Award, as it benefited our art students by obtaining international exhibits for them."

Portable printer, laptop, and camera inÌýtow, Rivera says that the HOME/LAND exhibit is only the beginning of a greater and longer international partnership. ÌýHe would like to continue to collaborate with Professor John AndoniaÌýat Dar al-Kalima University College in Palestine andÌýexhibit on an annual basis there and on an even bigger scale, renting out advertisement space at bus stations in Bethlehem. ÌýSince the exhibit culminates in eight-by-eleven photographs, "I can leave it behind," says Rivera.

Next, RiveraÌýplans to ask students to answer the question, "What is art?"