Here and There: A Palestinian Collection
“Here and There: A Palestinian Collection” is the first collection curated by designer and architect Dima Srouji for Adorno. With experience working in Palestine and abroad, Dima Srouji brings her interdisciplinary approach to design and curatorial commentary to the presentation of the Palestinian design scene. As a designer, Srouji explores issues of identity, globalisation, and tradition amidst the country’s long and ongoing political uncertainty.
Above: Hollow Forms ©Mothanna Hussein
"There is something about the work as a collection that I find really exciting. There is this invisible thread that connects the work together whether through similar influences, through the bold colors and sensual forms, or through a similar research-based methodology. It's the first time that a Palestinian design collection is shown together, that I know of. It's a good time for us to also question what we want to develop together moving forward." – Dima Srouji, Collection Curator & Founder of Hollow Forms
“Here and There: A Palestinian Collection” gives audiences a view into the collaborative and diverse world of the contemporary Palestinian design scene. From a curatorial perspective, Srouji describes that “this collaborative and diverse creative energy allows for intersections between local knowledge and global know-hows and has placed Palestinian design alongside global productions. Design is a collective denominator where each designer is revisiting a local industry with a new perspective whether in Palestine or abroad”.
“We had very limited insight into the Palestinian design scene before we started working with Dima on her collection and were right away intrigued by the talent and distinctive and original qualities of the pieces included in this project. Although the artists behind these pieces live both in Palestine and in other countries, it is very interesting to see the strong connections in the design language applied.” – Kristian Snorre Andersen, Founder & CEO
"I saw this as an opportunity to showcase Palestinian designers physically based in Palestine alongside Palestinian designers in the diaspora. There are a few people that are developing similar interests [and] techniques that may also not know each other. Connecting them together in this platform is a good start to what potentially can be a long-term collaboration process between the group of designers.” – Dima Srouji, Collection Curator & Founder of Hollow Forms
Moio Studio
From maintaining the use of traditional, local knowledge to incorporating contemporary techniques and materials in diaspora abroad, the designers presented in “Here and There” contribute to the continuity and development of contemporary Palestinian design, sharing their collective and individual artistic viewpoints with the larger world. This collection spans a variety of media, techniques, and forms and includes work from Hollow Forms, Local Industries, Moio Studios, Faissal El Malak, and Turabi Ceramics.
| Banner Image: Local Industries