11 Jerusalem

Jerusalem : Hanuman Burns Lanka  /  Jerusalem : Hanuman steckt Lanka in Brand (1999)

Oil and tempera on canvas
95 x 78cm

Sold

I was in Jerusalem for three days, and found an occupied city, in more ways than one. The city was occupied by its long history and traditions which seemed to me more dead then alive; it was occupied as well by heavily armed troops who, when engaged in conversation, said that Jerusalem was the place where World War III would start. While I was sketching, a Palestinian spoke of Mohammad's prophecy of the “River of Blood”, and felt this would soon come true.  But also while I was doing my sketch, a silver heart-shaped helium balloon with a grinning Mickey Mouse face flew by, and to me it was an indication of what was wrong here.

Much later in Peshawar, I bought a lump of lapis lazuli that became the blue of this sky. ‘Only a small spark and this city will burn', was my thought at the time, and there we have the connection to the Hanuman story.

Hanuman finally finds Sita on the island of Lanka, incarcerated by the demon Ravanna in the palace gardens.  After he has reassured Sita that Rama will come and free her, he fights the demons but lets himself be taken prisoner.  There are two reasons for this: it allows him to spy on the enemy's fortifications, but also to warn Ravanna once more to give up Sita.  However, Ravanna is too arrogant to listen, and wants to kill Hanuman immediately.  But his councillor, Vibishana (whose name means Discrimination), reminds him of the messenger's diplomatic immunity, and it is decided to merely humiliate Hanuman by tarring his tail and then setting it on fire.  In an ironic twist to the tale, Hanuman frees himself from his tormentors and jumps over the roofs of the town, setting it alight as he escapes.

Copyright  Hans Diebschlag. All Rights Reserved.