Ahmad Almahdi
A scholarly curator, educator, and artist with a structured approach to creativity. Palestinian-Saudi, whose work focuses on issues of return. Exploring and exposing the violence of occupation by studying and recreating archives, tracing the origins of imperial objects and the actions of their perpetrators. Creating immersive sets, landscapes, and worlds that allow audiences to engage with scholarly writings beyond just the printed page. (Inspired by revolutionaries) **
Project Title: Bullied Land (Palestine)
Project Description: “The young generation, the children who threw stones during the First Intifada, are removed from the direct knowledge of Palestine. Their parents are not fedayeen anymore; the PLO is in disarray, and the American and Israeli pressure on the academic curriculum made it difficult to teach about Palestine in schools” (The Palestinian History Weapon, Yazan Al-Saadi, Al Akbar, August 5, 2012)
Acknowledgment: Palestinians endure the persistent threat of genocide due to Israeli Occupation, facing dire conditions characterized by checkpoints, surveillance, and militarization. This Occupation aims to erase their identity, heritage, and presence in their land, validating Israeli control through looting and the manipulation of narratives, a persistent attempt to erase Palestinians. The point of the Israeli Occupation is to validate Israeli existence, validate their indignity on Palestinian soil. “Bullied Land,” in the case of Palestine, seeks to elevate Palestine by utilizing media archives, cultural traditions, and the creation of archives to advocate for a free Palestine and the right to return home. The public needs to recognize the impact of media art and its influence on cultural perceptions surrounding Zionism. The potential to shift the cultural zeitgeist in favor of Zionist ideologies and beliefs.
Perseverance should not be regarded solely as a survival strategy; Palestinian people are not to be glamorized objects for resistance inspiration only; Palestinians should not be viewed merely as symbols of counteraction. Continuing the conversation involves creating and archiving Palestinian history beyond the war. Focusing on developing and preserving its history to preserve Palestinian identity and amplify Palestinian voices. Developing written and physical dialogues with what is occurring and has occurred. Examining a set of Archival materials.
Project Inspiration: The return to home and land. The violence occurring physically and institutionally.
Academic Interests: Palestinian Archives, PLO, PCI. Imperial Objects and their political performance. Colonizer tactics, language. Modes of freedom with creative time and creating time.