The purpose of art, then, is to lead us to a knowledge of a thing through the organ of sight instead of recognition. —Viktor Shklovsky
The Holy Land is a place people see in very different lights depending on their own faith, background and preconceived notions, and this is one reason the Israel/Palestine conflict has been so intractable. By using a false color infrared process to photograph the people of the Holy Land and how the various groups interact, I create timeless, ethereal images that force the viewer to question their ideas of who people are and what they believe about them. The infrared process makes the photos reminiscent of the color processes of the early 1900’s, alters the color of clothing and renders all skin tones virtually the same.
![_DSF5042-Edit _DSF5042-Edit](https://bengray2.runographer.com/wp-content/gallery/infrared/DSF5042-Edit.jpg)
A Muslim woman shoots photos while touring the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christians traditionally believe Jesus was crucified, buried and rose from the dead.
![_BG44172-Edit _BG44172-Edit](https://bengray2.runographer.com/wp-content/gallery/infrared/BG44172-Edit.jpg)
Orthodox Christian priests carry a cross along the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus followed to his crucifixion.
![_IR16307-Edit _IR16307-Edit](https://bengray2.runographer.com/wp-content/gallery/infrared/IR16307-Edit.jpg)
Christian pilgrims pray at the Anointing Stone, where Jesus was believed to have been prepared for burial.
![_IR16024-Edit _IR16024-Edit](https://bengray2.runographer.com/wp-content/gallery/infrared/IR16024-Edit.jpg)
Orthodox Jews, Muslims and Christians all travel the same section of the Via Dolorosa while visiting their respective holy sites in Jerusalem.
![_IR15926-Edit _IR15926-Edit](https://bengray2.runographer.com/wp-content/gallery/infrared/IR15926-Edit.jpg)
Muslim women pass Christian pilgrims on the Via Dolorosa, the road Jesus was believed to have traveled on the way to his crucifixion.
![_IR15523-Edit _IR15523-Edit](https://bengray2.runographer.com/wp-content/gallery/infrared/IR15523-Edit.jpg)
Arab Christians pass a family of Samarians on their way to Shabbat prayers in the Palestinian city of Nablus.
![_DSF5113-Edit _DSF5113-Edit](https://bengray2.runographer.com/wp-content/gallery/infrared/DSF5113-Edit.jpg)
Christian pilgrims pass under Israeli flags with the minaret of a mosque behind them as they carry a cross along the Via Dolorosa, the road Jesus is believed to have traveled on the way to his crucifixion.
![_BG40154-Edit _BG40154-Edit](https://bengray2.runographer.com/wp-content/gallery/infrared/BG40154-Edit.jpg)
A Christian is baptized in the Jordan River, where John the Baptist was believed to have baptized Jesus.
![_BG43975-Edit _BG43975-Edit](https://bengray2.runographer.com/wp-content/gallery/infrared/BG43975-Edit.jpg)
An Orthodox Jewish man keeps his head down as he hurries past Muslim women while leaving Jerusalem's Old City through Damascus Gate.
![_BG43946-Edit _BG43946-Edit](https://bengray2.runographer.com/wp-content/gallery/infrared/BG43946-Edit.jpg)
Orthodox Christian nuns greet each other in front of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Jesus was believed to have been crucified, buried and resurrected.
![_BG45523-Edit _BG45523-Edit](https://bengray2.runographer.com/wp-content/gallery/infrared/BG45523-Edit.jpg)
Jews, Christians and Muslims all take a break on Jaffa Street, a pedestrian shopping area in the center of Jerusalem.