If Trees have had a memory like we Humans do, maybe they could have told us about the beginning of our Univers and the true History of Mankind. It seems to me that because we all live for only a short period of time, we cannot really see or understand the Univers we live in. In fact we always have to trust History books and archeological evidences and use a great deal of imagination in order to see the continuity of historical events. I feel that we, Humans, have a great difficulty in understanding our own acts. Maybe it is because we do not see the whole picture that we sometimes drow the wrong conclusions that lead us to misunderstanding. This video work is an attempt, in a poetic movement of images, to express my profound desire, as an artist, to transform our way of thinking about ourselves and the Nature that surrounds us. I believe we should concentrate on Beauty and the magical aspects of life instead of constantly search for cultural and racial differences between us, citizens of the World. If each one of us could put asside his origins, religion, or culture, maybe we could achieve a better conversation and a richer one. Think how enriching and interesting it is to meet others different from yourself and how fluent and full of opportunuties the discussion would be if you did not have that cultural barrier between you and the others. Unfortunatly we live in a society of “barriers” and the differences between us are often an obstacle to a constructive and a peacefull communication. I am not saying one should forget one’s origins, but put them asside for a moment when meeting a fellow human. Be kind to the others without forgeting who you are and where you come from. We should use our cultural diversity to enrich one another and not fight with each other. This Poetic Video is a Ballad for Peace among Humans. I have deliberately chosen to shoot it in Germany, which has a complex relationship with my Homeland Israel. This Ballad is a desire for another kind of memory. One that cannot be manipulated by man, One that exists like an eternal truth. I want the images to mirror the world’s beauty. I want the viewer to perceive the power and importance of Beauty. Humans should appriciate the beauty and harmony of existence.
Deborah Sfez, Israel, October 2016.