Project Zealous

In a collaborative effort with three Swedish artists to curate an exhibition as part of Kulturnatta. Our chosen venue, situated at Smedjegatan 5, adjacent to Göteborgs Museum, is operating under a demolishing contract. Notably, the space presented a contrast, featuring a kitchen that had already been demolished while the rest remained in pristine condition. Strikingly reminiscent of the war-torn landscapes of Syria, this juxtaposition stirred profound emotions. We deliberately requested the preservation of the damaged state, refraining from any restoration.

It was a totally spontaneous decision to choose to leave the room the way it is and use its destroyed shape to recreate a post-bombing room. Recognizing the profound resonance of my previous artistic experiments, I envisioned them finding a fitting home within this space, deviating from the conventional clean white cube setting. Collaborating with Gulbin, a fellow artist specializing in ceramics, I commissioned ceramic flip-flops to complement the narrative.

Our collective sought to recreate my Syrian home post-devastation, a visceral response to the impact of conflict initiated by entities such as ISIS and the Assad regime. Further enriching the narrative, another group member, Susanne, contributed by embroidering a dress specifically tailored for the space.

To further deepen the sensory engagement, we incorporated Bakhour, a traditional Middle Eastern perfume derived from burning perfumed wood sticks—a quintessential element in every Middle Eastern household. The intentional decision to preserve the kitchen in its demolished state and the thoughtful inclusion of symbolic elements such as ceramic flip-flops, an embroidered dress, and evocative scents transformed the exhibition space significantly. The resulting ambiance created a layered experience, akin to a room within a room, with the overarching purpose of reimagining and reliving one of my most profound and traumatic experiences.