What is art? This question is one of the most difficult to answer but since I started being a restorative practitioner I understood there is another one quite similar: what is restorative justice? I will not try to solve these two big enigmas but I will put them in connection, showing that art is always a good idea to put people together and face their internal and external conflicts.
One of the most difficult things in relationships is communication. We daily live with the problem of explaining who we are, how we feel and what we need. We feel misunderstood and frustrated for not being satisfied with our needs.
Verbalisation is sometimes even impossible and finding different ways to express ourselves can reduce the incident of conflict or make their resolution easier.
The Turkish art of mosaic painting — Ebru — can help in doing this.
This ancient painting technique born in Turkistan during the 13th century was named ‘the cloud-like paint’ but also ‘water surface’ by Persians.
This word was used to refer to the appearance of the paint changing like a cloud.
Nowadays a similar word ‘abri’ is used in Persian for cloudy weather.
Ebru was used to decorate important books so it initially had a secondary function but in time it became an independent figurative art that represents Turkish traditional symbols.
It’s basically painting on water with colours and materials of totally natural origin.
We are used to thinking about solid materials on which we can gently paint using brushes but in Ebru’s case we will use the most insatiable element on which we will paint breaking and screeching in a more or less delicate way.
The artistic process can be done by a single person or by a group; in that case the element of collaboration becomes a must and a plus to reach the artistic result.
After a long process of preparation of the liquid base and the painting phase, a paper is put on the water surface and catches all the colours like a sponge showing the result.
Like in daily life to obtain a change from ourselves or from a person we need to go through a process that is not always supported by stable conditions and needs more intense actions to evolve.
Ebru shows how human artistic action is actually comparable to human social interaction.
If we look at the word Ebru, we can easily find the strong connection of this art with the ‘art’ of restoring relationships:
All these elements are needed to build a positive human relationship and also to create an Ebru painting.
We will need faithfully to prepare the water surface. For the first time water will not just take the shape of its container but instead will become itself the container of the art.
Like water the human interaction will not just adapt itself to the situation but will create the best conditions to create a positive and satisfying relationship.
To prepare any restorative meeting or procedure we need to put down some common approved rules that will permit us to satisfy the value of Respect. For this we will add an oil that will keep the colours separated but able to interact with each other on the water surface creating a Balance.
Here comes the moment to interact!
Every participant will be able to express himself/herself Equally choosing their way to communicate and give to the others a part of their soul.
Like this painters choose their colours, a burnishing tool to touch the water and spread the colours.
Every person’s exchangeability will produce a consequence like every touch in the water will extend the paint influencing the other’s artistic gesture.
Taking their own Responsibility for what they did/said will help them to be an active part in building who they want to be and how they want to be with people. Same thing in Ebru! I need to know that a little touch will be fundamental in the final result of our paint.
A word that in the beginning looks like a mistaken one, later can be changed, explained and put in a context that enhances its meaning.
Like this a scratch in the water that seems to ruin the ideal paint can be Repaired, what appears divided on the surface is actually United in the artistic intention.
The result in both, human relationship and Ebru paint, is totally Unpredictable: everyone can have an expectation about that but the process will define what will happen. Trying to behave, speak and relate to people restoratively, of course we can expect to build better and better relationships, but no one has the certainty of how the other people will be affected by us.
Another magic element is the Uniqueness of what we will build/ paint. Gifting the others with who we really are will permit us not to lose the aim of authenticity. Every artistic gesture will just be us!
As I tried to explain, the similarities in those two processes are multiple and fascinating.
Sometimes for knowing people deeply and getting connected with them, using words is not enough.
Art, specifically Ebru, can be a valid and enjoyable way of communication.
It could be amazing to see in those colourful clouds reflecting who we are, who we want to be; reaching a deep connection with participants through a collaborative process in which near me i always find the help and different perspectives of other human beings.
Serena Granzini is a teacher, restorative practitioner and young peacebuilder working in Turkey.
Contact: granzini.serena@gmail.com
Published on 30 December 2023.
Published on 30 December 2023.
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