Field Trip!
Trip Start
Feb 07, 2008
1
9
22
Trip End
Jun 05, 2008
Den Haag, Netherlands
Friday, March 21, 2008
The first part of our afternoon was spent touring the International Criminal Court and viewing the actual courtroom were many of the world's most dangerous criminals have been tried and convicted. We also got a briefing on several different cases that were (and still are) currently in progress. There is so much violence in the world and tons more violence the media doesn't get a chance to cover; we were briefed on a few cases that are not being covered in the media. It was interesting to hear and learn about how the International Criminal Court goes about deciding which cases should be handled by them and which cases should be handled by the individual countries. For instance, the situation in Iraq is not a situation the International Criminal Court will become involved with, however the situation in Darfur is something the ICC is working on and something we were briefed on.
The International Criminal Court is doing everything it can to stop the brutal murder of hundreds, maybe even thousands of innocent lives in Darfur. However, the government in Darfur is protecting the few individuals responsible for this "situation" (to be politically correct since they have not labeled it genocide yet) and without the corporation of the government the ICC cannot do much. It is very frustrating and heartbreaking that anyone would do what is being done currently in Darfur and even more unbelievable that the country is protecting the ones responsible for causing the horrifying "situation" occurring within it.
The second half of the afternoon was spent wandering through the Morris Museum. This was once a home for a very wealthy family, but now houses a private collection of works that includes, Rembrandt, Vermeer and many others. The art had a very renaissance feel to it, as is to be expected when looking at Rembrandt and Vermeer. The draw to this particular private collection however, it the famous portrait done by Vermeer called, Girl with a Pearl Earring. Looking at this picture makes you stop dead in your tracks, and not because there is a book written about it or because it is so famous now days, but because of the girl who is starring at you from within the frame. There is a look in her eye that stares you down and almost says to you, "I know, I know all you think I don't." The girl is wearing one simple yet abnormally large pearl earring and to this day is still anonymous. No one knows who the portrait is or why was painted, but it doesn't matter once you are standing right in front of it. This unknown girl is telling you with no other expression but her eyes and a slightly opened mouth that she knows everything that you are holding inside, and looking at her almost makes you feel as if it is okay. The art majors will tell you that this affect is caused by the dark shading in the background of the portrait and the way in which Vermeer used shading around her face and eyes. However, to me, standing in front of this picture gave me a since of wholeness and longing to share every secret I have ever had, the small and large.
The two buildings I visited on this day were very different in nature and both unique. The International Criminal Court brought with it an experience I have never had, I am a teacher in nature not a lawyer, but embraced the idea fully and for those two hours I was a lawyer and I was learning! The Morris Museum brought beauty, elegance and mystery to the day. The museum itself is overwhelmingly beautiful and quaint. There was so much art to look at, but it was displayed in a way that does not overwhelm you as one usually gets when looking at a big collection. By far, still one of my most enjoyable museum experiences, and I have been to a ton by now!
