July 12 to August 13, 2023
During my secondment in Palestine from July 12 to August 13, 2023, I was hosted by Wonder Cabinet, a space for art production and cultural development in Bethlehem. The objective of my stay was to explore how arts organizations and cultural practitioners develop spatial practices of resistance to counter the destruction of Palestinian heritage. This destruction, termed “epistemicide,” seeks to erase Palestinian histories, culture, and identities, a process that has persisted since the Nakba of 1948. My research focused on understanding how these practices preserve collective memory and challenge systemic erasure.
I collaborated with key cultural organizations, including Al Mamal Foundation in Jerusalem’s Old City, Dar Yusuf Nasri Jacir for Art and Research in Bethlehem, Riwaq Centre for Architectural Conservation in Ramallah, and Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center. These organizations, alongside smaller cultural spaces and practitioners, work at the intersections of art, ecology, and heritage preservation. Their efforts provided a comprehensive view of strategies used to sustain and protect Palestinian heritage.
My methods were grounded in feminist approaches, particularly in-depth interviewing with recursive and close listening as a feminist-relational practice. This allowed me to engage deeply with participants, gaining nuanced insights into their lived experiences and the socio-political challenges they navigate. I prioritized fostering a relational and respectful approach, ensuring participants felt heard and valued while also remaining self-aware of my own positionality.
This experience highlighted the vital role of arts and culture in resisting systemic oppression and preserving collective memory. It also underscored the resilience and creativity of Palestinian cultural practitioners, offering valuable insights into how spatial practices of resistance can be cultivated and sustained in contexts of ongoing adversity.
