Art installation by Nermine El Ansari
Poetry: Moneim Rahama
Sound: Adam Switala
Video: Piotr Pawlus
Nermine El Ansari arrived in Seyðisfjörður this fall on an invitational artist residency at Skaftfell Art Center, with the intention of creating an exhibition about exile and displacement. These concerns run deep in her artistic practice. The events of October 7th— the Hamas attack on Israel marking the resurgence of a long-lasting conflict and the subsequent retaliation by the Israeli military on Gaza that has resulted in massive losses: death, destruction, and displacement – focused the artist from the general to the specific, in this installation that poignantly evokes the unfolding tragedy.
Upon entering the exhibition at Skaftfell the viewer hears the voice of the Sudanese poet, writer, and activist Moneim Rahama (presently exiled in France), who reads “No Longer,” a poem written on October 23. The voice recording is layered with a composed soundwork. The immersive installation includes a montage of images El Ansari created in response to both personal experiences and stories told by people facing forced displacement with whom she has worked closely.
The artist wishes to thank Moneim Rahama, Adam Switala, Piotr Pawlus, and Rania Berro for their collaboration.
The artist wishes to thank Moneim Rahama, Adam Switala, Piotr Pawlus, and Rania Berro for their collaboration.
The project was commissioned by Skaftfell and made possible by a generous grant from Myndstef, The Icelandic Visual Art Copyright Association. Skaftfell Art Center is grateful for support from the East Iceland Development Fund, the Ministry of Culture and Business, and Múlaþing.
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