While We Wait
Palestinian architects Elias and Yousef Anastas debut their installation While We Wait. Inspired by the scenic Cremisan Valley located on the seam between Bethlehem and Jerusalem, the installation aims to explore the cultural claim over nature in Palestine.
Their work navigates the issues surrounding the construction of a wall through the middle of the Valley in the Palestinian landscape, which has separated links between a monastery and the local community.
While We Wait is a stone construction of a lace-like pattern, in which the sophisticated dentelle structure is in stark contrast to the plain uniform concrete of the separation wall.
The structure is an immersive space that visitors can enter, feeling the texture of stone and participating in the experience through an ambient soundtrack, as if entering the Cremisan Valley itself.
Following its unveiling as part of London Design Festival, the installation will tour to Concrete, a multi-disciplinary space in Alserkal Avenue, Dubai from 9-18 November 2017. While We Wait will then move permanently to the Cremisan Valley, and will be a celebration of the relationship between nature and architecture in the context of the Palestinian landscape.
Supported by Ghalia and Omar Al-Qattan, Concrete, Dubai, Nissreen Darawish, Jerusalem Stone Group/Suhail Thalgieh, and those who wish to remain anonymous.
