Museum showcases works created out of weapons from Mozambique

An exhibition at the National Museum of Ethnology in Suita is showcasing about 20 works of art made from dismantled weapons such as antitank rocket launchers, rifles and guns, created by local artists in formerly war-torn Mozambique.

The exhibition, titled "Transforming Arms into Art: Peace-Building in Mozambique," tells visitors of the cruel reality of war and people's wish for peace through its displays of rusting gun barrels and other weapon components.

After becoming independent from Portugal in 1975, Mozambique was ravaged by a civil war fought from 1976 to 1992 between the then-ruling party and an antigovernment organization. Although 20 years have passed since the end of the war, there are still reportedly millions of firearms in the country. Large caches of guns are still occasionally discovered hidden underground.

A Christian bishop heard about the problem from residents and developed a project to exchange weapons for agricultural tools and bicycles. The project, named "Transforming Arms into Tools," took off in 1995.

In 1997, it developed into a project in which welded gun barrels and cartridge holders are used to create artworks. Some of the works have been included in the collection of the British Museum. About 800,000 guns have so far been collected for the project.

Before the exhibition in Suita began, Prof. Kenji Yoshida of the museum visited Mozambique and asked local artists to create a new work.

Over a period of three weeks in October last year, the artists created "Cycle of Life," which forms part of the current exhibition.

The work depicts a family riding a bicycle to pay tribute to Ehime Global Network, a nonprofit organization in Matsuyama that donates used or confiscated illegally parked bicycles to Mozambique, where they are exchanged for weapons to be utilized in the art project.

It is said that "Cycle of Life" uses components of at least 100 guns, including Russian AK-47 rifles.

Cristovao Canhavato, 47, the Mozambican artist who created the work, visited Japan in July. He said his relatives were killed in the civil war, and added: "I hope our works emphasize the value of life and family bonds. Transforming arms into art is a work to build peace and humanity."

The exhibition also includes works depicting a chair, a lizard, a dancer and more.

The museum is considering loaning the displays to various organizations for peace education.

"I've never heard of the private sector leading a project in collecting arms," Yoshida said. "I hope visitors to the exhibition will think about what we can all do for peace — as individuals, artists and organizations such as the museum."

The exhibition will run until Nov. 5. Yoshida will speak about the project on Oct. 19 at the museum. -- The Yomiuri Shimbun.