A R C H I E F1 9 9 6  
.14
  Andy Davies
Arabesque Al-Andalus
  Spain 1996
Videotape, 21:53, colour & black-and-white, mono
‘Arabesque Al-Andalus’ is based on themes from the literature and poetry of the previously islamitic Spain. The texts act as a springboard for reflections and insights into the modern world. Davies divided his video into three sections: ‘Paradoxical Gardens’ in which the garden is set opposite the desert, ‘Warring Nature’ in which nature is contrasted with various historical and current battle grounds, and ‘Nightlife’ in which night is described as an active, mysterious presence. The images in Arabesque Al-Andalus are black and white, there is no binding or explanatory voice-over. The old texts appear on screen or are declaimed, always in Arabic and English. By placing various realities next to each other, Davies investigates the effect of history and its relevance to today from a personal and subjective preoccupation. “When the storyteller is a fool, the listener should be wise”, runs an old Andalusian saying that he tellingly uses as a motto for his video.

Jorinde Seijdel

Editing Andy Davies, Xavier Sentis, Lol Gellor, Music Martin Wheeler, Voice Vivienne Dick, Thanks to Ray Hogan, Ina Dunkel, Monica, Yves, Mark Sheehan


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