Sorry, but I think it’s rubbish
Some of the Arabic poetry written by some Bahraini poets, that is. I ought to be blunt about this, mainly because I’m really the linguistics enthusiast, and I have to make a stance; some of what is written is hardly poetry.
I’m not the renowned critic, but I take the matter to heart. Of previous conversations with colleagues and friends, I always made the point of using language, first and foremost, as a tool to convey meaning. And, when someone starts to speak without meaning, let alone it being poetry, my ears start bleeding.
It was at an event I attended last night. An artist, a poet, and a number of translators were present. I had to reserve my opinion regarding the artist because I haven’t seen her work, or much of it at least. The poet, I believe I made my case regarding his work, however still, for some to argue that the lack of meaning is with the modern trend in Arabic poetry is embarrassing. Shamefully embarrassing I tell you, Shamefully!!
Perhaps the translators are the ones that I least victimize, although some also made an embarrassment of the language they translated the material to. Others, surprisingly, admitted attempting a translation of the meaning; well done!!
I do not know whether it is the excessive Arab pride or the lack of quality assurance (but we stopped caring for that a long time ago, haven’t we), but when you, the artist, whatever sort you are, think that you “got it” first time, you are greatly mistaken. It takes a long time to find your vision, and it takes a long time to find your voice. Until you do, all that you do shall be considered noise.
5 Comments >>
Hasan
Interesting entry. I was having a discussion with an Arab artist I know and I remember him telling me that he doesn’t really like the trend in modern Arabic poetry. I’m not so sure where my stance is either. The way I see it, there are a few people who can pull it off beautifully; I actually make it a point to pick up anything new by Mahmoud Darwish and Adonis every time I hear that they’ve got something new out. It’s a little unfair to single out Bahraini poets sometimes, I think. I really wonder how poetry is developing in the rest of the Arab world.
I’d like to see it as a phase and it’ll get better over time. This “abstract poetry” is still in its early stages, so you never know what will happen next.
Maybe it’s the beginning of something new or something that will pass over time.
To be honest, I understand your point of view of it being “without meaning” - but I sometimes find a few gems that I enjoy. The way I see it, this type of poetry tends to focus on a moment or an image rather than a meaning, and this image could end up reflecting something else. I dunno, just an interpretation. Then again, I wasn’t at the poetry recital you went to and I might be wrong
Oct 26th, 2007
H.
Surely Hasan, I do not mean to single out Bahraini poets, but as this is one of the few recitals I’ve been to (and I’ve only been to Bahrainis’ so far) I can only give a limited opinion. Limited, in scope, not interpretation, I’d like to think.
What image it may ever be, the dichotomy of abstract and concrete notions need to preserve its meaning. Also, what transcendence this image may ever achieve also need to preserve its form.
On the contrary, what I had been presented with was more like stacking ambiguous words that only seemed to sound poetic on their own, in isolation; put together, they lost their meaning, their magic, and their purpose.
I might sound too harsh, but I believe that some criticism can be constructive. When it comes to fake complements, Arabs game all the way, but when one criticizes them, one will be the first against the wall. I will take that chance.
Oct 27th, 2007
Hasan
I see your point. Well, regardless of how good (or not) we think it is, we should always support local artists. Thanks for bringing this up.
Oct 27th, 2007
Butterfly
I have to disagree with you Hassan on this. We should support only good art and talented people otherwise it is just a waste of time and money that should be directed somewhere else.
Some young talents need support and I am with helping them and supporting them as long as they prove that they deserve the support.
Oct 30th, 2007
Hasan
Butterfly,
Sorry for the late response. I understand your point of view but I don’t think it’s fair both for the artist and for the audiences if everything is screened to tell everyone what they should or shouldn’t watch, and what makes good and bad art. A ‘good’ artist and a ‘bad’ artist are BOTH artists and they both need support to improve, in the same sense as how ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’.
Talent isn’t something that can easily be presented to the world from the first try; it is something that needs time, space, moral/material support and practice to hone. In the case of Van Gough, his works didn’t receive much attention during his life time. It was only years after he died that he was appreciated. The same goes for Franz Kafka and his writings (which have left a deep impact on modern literature); in fact, he was on the brink of being forgotten into obscurity had it not been for a few convenient circumstances. Kafka, too, was not appreciated till many years after his death.
To create a good environment for artists to develop in, you’re going to have to give everyone a chance.. or rather, MANY chances.
Artists can only improve when they get feedback from their audiences. If an artist wasn’t good in presenting his/her work once, perhaps they’ll learn from their experiences and try to improve their art.
Just be patient with artists and don’t think of one of them as being better than the rest because everyone is different. Everyone deserves chances.
What I like about the big cities I’ve spent a while in such Tokyo and Chicago is that there are plenty of spaces for artists. Some spaces are CLEARLY reserved for the top artists, but there are also PLENTY of places for amateurs and those who “aren’t as famous” to perform in. Some of the artists who started their careers in the smaller galleries and concert halls end up being very famous and they always go back to thank those who supported them along the way.
Ideally speaking, we have the freedom to walk in and out of art galleries/concerts/poetry recitals at our own free will at any time, but it’s not fair for the artists who are in their early stages or who haven’t received any attention yet to be denied a chance for support.
Nov 16th, 2007
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