In the face of death, destruction and displacement, beauty plays a vital role in Gaza

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In the Face of Death, Destruction, and Displacement, Beauty Plays a Vital Role in Gaza

A small group of children in Gaza sit on a lavender and white blanket around a small tray of beverages, singing "Happy Birthday" to a young girl. Like kids her age around the world, she wears a sweatshirt with prints of Elsa and Anna, characters from "Frozen"; unlike most kids, she’s celebrating against a backdrop of a war that, according to United Nations estimates as of November 10, 2023, has already killed more than 4,500 Palestinian children.

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Celebrating anything might seem odd or even inappropriate in the face of so much devastation – and in the middle of what many are calling genocide.

However, in the research of refugees that I’ve conducted with interdisciplinary artist and scholar Devora Neumark, we’ve found that the urge to beautify one’s surroundings is widespread and profoundly beneficial – particularly so in the harrowing circumstances of loss, displacement, and danger.

Gaza Today

In the first six weeks of the Israel-Hamas war, 70% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have had to leave or have lost their homes. Over half crowd into some type of emergency shelter, while others squeeze into relatives’ and neighbors’ homes. Food is scarce and increasingly expensive. According to the U.N., people are getting only 3% of the water they need each day. Much of the water they do have is polluted.

Crops are dying. Moms are not producing breast milk. People are getting sick. There are severe shortages of baby formula, as well as anesthesia for those needing surgery. The lack of space and overwhelming stress and fear add sleep to the list of things that are hard to come by.

A Human Impulse

Beauty has been a hallmark of every human civilization. Art philosopher Arthur Danto wrote that beauty, while optional for art, is not an option for life. Neuroscientists have shown that our brains are biologically wired for beauty: The neural mechanisms that influence attention and perception have adapted to notice color, form, proportion, and pattern.

We’ve found that refugees worldwide, often with limited or no legal rights, still invest considerable effort in beautifying their surroundings. Whether they’re staying in shelters or makeshift apartments, they paint walls, hang pictures, add wallpaper, and carpet the floors. They transform plain and seemingly temporary accommodations into personalized spaces – into semblances of home.

Cultivating Love and Life

Even prior to the start of the Israel-Hamas war, Palestinians lived in the face of immense injustice and violence.

Our Palestinian research partner, who must remain anonymous for security reasons, described that their home in the refugee camp feels like living in jail, but that they still make it a beautiful place to live.

Prior to the start of the latest war, neighborhoods featured striking murals and embellished walls. Intricate mosaics adorned buildings, and paint livened the facades of homes. Neighbors would gather to pray, putting on new clothes, spraying perfume, and burning incense to prepare for the rituals. As Christmas approached, Palestinian Christians, along with some Muslims, would decorate their homes. Both faiths would gather for annual tree lightings.

A Form of Resistance and Resilience

One Guinean refugee interviewed as part of Neumark’s study said, "As refugees we lose our sense of beauty, and when that happens, we lose our sense of everything, of life itself."

If the opposite of this is true, then clearly beauty cannot be thought of as superficial or an afterthought. One study of Bosnian refugees found that their ability to notice beauty was a sign of improved mental health.

Creating, witnessing, and experiencing beauty offers a connection to the familiar, works to preserve cultural identity, and fosters belonging.

Conclusion

In the face of death, destruction, and displacement, beauty plays a vital role in Gaza. It is a form of resistance and resilience that allows individuals to cope with the trauma and chaos that surrounds them. By investing in the beauty of their surroundings, refugees can transform their living spaces into personalized and meaningful environments that provide a sense of comfort, security, and identity.

FAQs

Q: Why is beauty important in the context of displacement and trauma?
A: Beauty is important because it provides a sense of comfort, security, and identity in the face of trauma and chaos.

Q: How do refugees invest in the beauty of their surroundings?
A: Refugees invest in the beauty of their surroundings by painting walls, hanging pictures, adding wallpaper, and carpeting floors.

Q: What are some examples of beauty in Gaza?
A: Examples of beauty in Gaza include striking murals, embellished walls, intricate mosaics, and painted facades of homes.

Q: How does beauty impact the mental health of refugees?
A: Beauty has been shown to have a positive impact on the mental health of refugees, providing a sense of improved mental well-being and reduced stress.