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Exploring the dogma of war

Angela Kelly
7/ 9/2007

WHEN future historians examine the turn of the 21st century,  a defining theme will be religious fundamentalism.

As writer Salman Rushdie states: “Fundamentalism isn’t about religion – it’s about power.”

Global religious extremism as a phenomenon embraces many active groups from a variety of belief systems and political persuasions.

Now the subject is the theme of an international multimedia arts festival taking place in four European cities between this September and next June.

Called Fundamental, its Manchester component is split between Green Room on Whitworth Street West and Hulme’s Zion Arts Centre.

The show seeks to highlight the many forms fundamentalism can take and features internationally renowned artists from countries as diverse as Iran and the USA.

Currently based in Frankfurt, Tehran-born Parastou Forouhar recently exhibited alongside Tracey Emin in New York.

Forouhar’s parents were murdered in Iran in 1998, and her quest for clarification has caused her to return to her homeland several times. Much of her work is critical of Islamic fundamentalism in Iran and elsewhere.

She is joined by fellow Iranians Abbas, a Magnum photographer who has documented conflicts in Biafra, Vietnam, South Africa and revolutionary Iran, and silk screen artist Khosrow Hassan Zadeh, whose work comments on the impact of Islam on women’s lives.

Another important exhibitor is Debbie Hill, a freelance photographer whose images explore and document the convergence of religion and politics in Israel.

She is known for her unique technique of hand-colouring black and white photographs with oils.

Mark Vallen is a graphic artist, painter and blogger whose compelling political posters have been exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and who runs the website www.art-for-a-change.com.

Fellow American Joel Pelletier is a multimedia artist who experiments in an eclectic mix of areas, from fine and graphic arts to home and automotive restoration.

He is perhaps best known for his massive work Christ’s Entry into Washington in 2008, a painting severely critical of the growing influence of Christian fundamentalism in American politics.

Closer to home are the quirky cartoon strips of Hulme-based artist Polyp.

Dripping with sarcasm, his scathing attacks on globalisation regularly appear in political magazines including the Big Issue and New Internationalist.

The exhibition, which includes  presentations and discussions, is dedicated to creating a deeper, shared understanding of global fundamentalist movements, and to increase tolerance and in the interests of worldwide peace and security.

When the popular media comes under fire for commenting on the nature of fundamentalism – remember the provocative cartoons dealing with Islamic faith published recently by a Danish newspaper? – a fresh look at the subject seems more timely than ever.

Fundamental runs at the Zion Arts Centre, Stretford Road, Hulme, until Saturday, September 15 (ring 0161 226 1912) and at the Green Room, Whitworth Street West, Manchester, until Saturday, September 22 (ring 0161 615 0500)