Emad Hemede
Emad Hemede (Syria)
Emad Hemed is a visual artist. His experience of connecting with people from different cultures through his art inspires his artistic philosophy: communicating the historically and artistically rich realities of Syria through creative aestheticism that is universal in its inclusiveness.
A sculptor and oil painter by tradition, Emad chooses to utilize acrylic paints (water based) in his current works as the water element symbolizes the essence of life. His work reflects his dream of a Syrian future, which in Emad's words "is nothing but its beautiful past".
The Day Before Tomorrow
With student and public participation over a period of one week, Emad Hemede created an art installation using bread flour and cardboard stencils. Participants created patterns on the lounge floor of the Perkins Student Center to symbolize life in its most fragile form. On completion of the installation, Emad invited dancers to perform a choreographed piece on the installation, using the destruction of the artwork as a metaphor to describe how beauty that previously existed in Syria is now shattered by conflict.
The dance was performed by UD Dance Minor students and the Ignite Dance Company, with choreography by Kimberly Schroeder, head of the Dance Minor.
Emad created intricate designs on a one thousand square foot canvas of flour using custom molds and laser cut stencils. For five days he sketched designs into and inviting student volunteers to take part in this process of creation.
In the second performance, the dancers “destroy” the art . During the dance the flour evokes the remnants of falling buildings, ashes, and life turned into dust. "I chose flour as the medium for my work because flour, in my mind, symbolizes life because it gives life," says Emad, "In my culture, flour is sacred and should not be used for anything except to sustain life."
YouTube Video: Art destruction part of UD exhibit exploring Syrian conflict: youtube.com/watch?v=UsM6ZDM29UQ
