JERUSALEM LIVES (Tahya Al Quds)

In light of what Jerusalem continues to face from exclusionary policies enforced by militarization and closure, the Palestinian Museum has created a multi-faceted project and exhibition, JERUSALEM LIVES, which aims to focus on the living aspect of the city and support its people. The exhibition attempts to examine the city of Jerusalem as a case study metaphorically representing globalization and its failures, and find answers to inspire a better future. Veering away from clichés, the exhibition will expose the neoliberal colonial and imperial challenges imposed by the Israeli occupation that Jerusalem and its people are facing. Could the title Tahya Al Quds transform from a mere slogan to presenting real content and support for life in the city? What are the stories of collective resistance? How do we make Jerusalem live?

Four chapters explore the concept, beginning with a multidisciplinary exhibition displaying audiovisual materials that demonstrate the emanation, effects and limitations of globalization in the city of Jerusalem. Commissioned or refabricated site-specific artworks by 18 international artists and local form the second chapter outdoors, in the grounds and gardens of the Palestinian Museum. In the third chapter, the public programme is aimed at supporting civic and non-governmental associations in the city that have adopted an enduring methodology of collective struggle. Developed at the museum’s initiative on the basis of a working relationship and stimulating dialogue with various local organizations, the inaugural exhibition of the Palestinian Museum will provide a platform for a group of fellow institutions to undertake and broaden a series of long-term compelling projects. The fourth chapter, the JERUSALEM LIVES publication focuses on knowledge production as a frontier of resistance. In partnership with the journal Jerusalem Quarterly, a special edition celebrating the lives of renowned Jerusalemites has been produced to anchor the editorial component of this multilayered curatorial project.

Participating artists:
Ruanne Abou Rahme & Basel Abbas, Sultan bin Fahad, Bisan Abu Eisheh, Naji Al Ali, Maria Thereza Alves, Nabil Anani, Nahed Awwad, Samira Badran, Tayseer Barakat, Simone Bitton, Kamal Boullata, CAMP, Rain Wu & Eric Chen, Bob Gramsma, Ra’ouf Haj Yihya, Khalil Halabi, Samia Halaby, Rula Halawani, Mona Hatoum, Khaled Hourani, Iman Issa, Ahed Izhiman, Athar Jaber, Emily Jacir, Khaled Jarrar, Marwa Jbara, Mohammed Kazem, Muqata’a, Yazan Khalili, Bashir Makhoul, Sliman Mansour, Oscar Murillo, Ibrahim Noubani, Khalil Rabah, Khalil Rayyan, Sudarshan Shetty, Nida Sinnokrot, Dennis Sobeh, Vera Tamari, Vladimir Tamari, Adrian Villar Rojas, Visualizing Palestine, Inass Yassin, Mohanad Yaqubi

Partner institutions in Jerusalem:
The African Community Society, Arab Studies Association, the Palestinian National Theatre- El-Hakawati, Silwan Club, Al-Bustan Association Silwan, Al Budeiri Library, Grassroots Jerusalem, Jerusalem Quarterly

Artistic team
Curator: Reem Fadda; Assistant Curators: Yara Abbas and Fawz Kabra; Artistic Producer: Luz Gyalui; Public Programme and Production Manager: Obour Hashash; Technical Director: Yazan Khalili; Exhibition Designer: Jasmin Oezcebi; Public Programme Coordinator: Raneen Kiresh; Education Programme Coordinator: Hana Irshaid; Consultant Researcher: Samer Shtayyeh; Graphic Designer: Lena Sobeh; Registrar: Baha Jubeh

About the Palestinian Museum
The Palestinian Museum is an independent museum dedicated to supporting an open and dynamic Palestinian culture nationally and internationally. The Museum presents and engages with new perspectives on Palestinian history, society and culture. It offers spaces for creative ventures, educational programmes and innovative research. The Museum is a flagship project of Taawon (the Welfare Association).

Chair of the Palestinian Museum Board: Zina Jardaneh

Director: Mahmoud Hawari

Press contact
Haneen Makho: hmakho@palmuseum.org