Arahmaiani Indonesian, b. 1961
In this piece, Mickey Mouse is depicted wearing a patriotic American outfit, with stars and stripes adorning his overalls, symbolizing Western influence and economic power. He stands in a desert landscape, indicating a setting in the Middle East. Opposite him, Minnie Mouse is dressed in a traditional black abaya, with a green headscarf decorated with polka dots, symbolizing a blending of cultural identities and perhaps the influence of Western media on traditional societies.
In the background, an oil rig is prominently displayed, symbolizing the economic underpinning of many Western-Middle Eastern relationships, particularly the dependency on oil. This element highlights the transactional nature of these interactions, where cultural exchanges are often overshadowed by economic interests. By placing these globally recognized cartoon characters in a Middle Eastern context, Arahmaiani critiques the superficiality of cultural diplomacy and the economic motives that drive international relationships. "