Hossein Hashempoor: Middle East Peace Is Lost for Art and Artists

The Middle East is currently dissatisfied, as it has been for the last 365 days. Every day, the dead are carried from alley to alley, and each instant of death and struggle is inhaled like oxygen.

IranArt : Hossein Hashempoor : As a journalist, I interact with artists and other members of the art community on a daily basis for work. They are all heartbroken and concerned about the current awful situation in the Middle East.

Throughout history, art and artists have been anti-war. They are aware, however, that the sculpture and painting canvas will be rendered worthless once the war owl has settled down. They also question why the possibility of conflict is not permanently preserved in the archives.

As science and understanding advanced, many destructive human habits outlived their usefulness. How odd, though, that the anti-human custom of fighting and murdering one another continues?

Middle Eastern-born artists now claim they lack the will to produce meaningful work. However, gallerists from nations that are both directly and indirectly impacted by the war argue that purchasing artwork is enjoyable. Consequently, it is not surprising that the quantity of art being bought and sold is declining in these times.

Nonetheless, several unofficial reports indicate that some art collectors and dealers are purchasing masterpieces in these unusual circumstances. Because history has shown that some collectors sell their art treasures to get money during times of conflict.

Yes, as the famed Iranian poet Ahmad Shamlou once said, "the dead are carried from alley to alley".

The Middle East is currently dissatisfied, as it has been for the last 365 days, and each instant of death and struggle is inhaled like oxygen. Perhaps things would be more lovely and tranquil today if artists controlled the world.