Art gets gritty

Radio Netherlands The State We're In Aug 3, 2007 -

For some people, art is an essential part of their lives. Art connects people and cultures, and often helps make sense of complicated issues. It can give a feeling of peace and also aid in healing. So what happens to art when it is housed in one of the most violent places on the planet?

On 5 March 2007, a car bomb went off in the artistic centre of Baghdad. It seemed a deliberate attempt to destroy the core of Iraq's cultural life. It has since quelled if not cut off cultural cultivation in the city.

To help make those who've never seen or experienced such devastation understand a little more about what it must be like, a group of Iraqi students have brought two cars destroyed by the bombing to The Netherlands. The cars were put on display in June in one of the busiest sections of Amsterdam: Leidseplein, a square surrounded by cafés, bars, restaurants and discotheques.

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[War on error photos: Robert Kluijver]