AAU ANASTAS

The following is a layered composition of sound and visuals that presents our architectural practice, sonic explorations, cultural productions and collective collaborations.

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2017-09-15
2017-09-15
2017-09-15
Cremisan Valley, Palestine

While We Wait

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While We Wait is an immersive installation about the cultural claim over nature. The towering structure consists of small elements of stone from different regions of Palestine, fading upwards from earthy red to pale limestone. The stone elements are shaped by both revolutionary and traditional techniques: they are designed on a computer, cut by robots and hand-finished by local artisans.

The process of ‘stereotomy’, the art of cutting stones so they can be assembled into a larger configuration, enables the lace- like structure to support itself. Moreover, gaps between the stones allow the viewer to see out, while being encouraged to imagine the installation’s eventual surroundings in Palestine through evocative sound and video elements.

The project is born at the V&A, While We Wait lives now permanently in the Cremisan Valley, where the controversial separation wall is currently being built, threatening to segregate the community, isolate land from its owners and sever the historic link between the valley and its eponymous monastery. In stark contrast to the rectangular concrete wall, which dominates and divides the Palestinian landscape, this installation will venerate its extreme natural beauty. Returning to the very earth from which it was made, it celebrates the visual, symbiotic relationship between nature and architecture.

While We Wait therefore suggests an alternative to the cultural claim over nature.

Photography
Edmund Sumner
Photography
Mikaela Burstow
Cremisan Valley, Palestine
2017-09-15

While We Wait

بينما ننتظر

While We Wait is an immersive installation about the cultural claim over nature. The towering structure consists of small elements of stone from different regions of Palestine, fading upwards from earthy red to pale limestone. The stone elements are shaped by both revolutionary and traditional techniques: they are designed on a computer, cut by robots and hand-finished by local artisans.

The process of ‘stereotomy’, the art of cutting stones so they can be assembled into a larger configuration, enables the lace- like structure to support itself. Moreover, gaps between the stones allow the viewer to see out, while being encouraged to imagine the installation’s eventual surroundings in Palestine through evocative sound and video elements.

The project is born at the V&A, While We Wait lives now permanently in the Cremisan Valley, where the controversial separation wall is currently being built, threatening to segregate the community, isolate land from its owners and sever the historic link between the valley and its eponymous monastery. In stark contrast to the rectangular concrete wall, which dominates and divides the Palestinian landscape, this installation will venerate its extreme natural beauty. Returning to the very earth from which it was made, it celebrates the visual, symbiotic relationship between nature and architecture.

While We Wait therefore suggests an alternative to the cultural claim over nature.

Photography
Edmund Sumner
Photography
Mikaela Burstow
01
01_AAU_WWW_Concept hand drawing.jpg
Concept hand drawing
02
02_AAU_WWW_Stereotomy sketch.jpg
Stereotomy sketch
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03_AAU_WWW_Cremisan photo.jpg
Cremisan view photo
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04_AAU_WWW_Cremisan photo.jpg
Cremisan view photo
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05_AAU_WWW_Cremisan photo.jpg
Cremisan view photo
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06_AAU_WWW_Cremisan photo.jpg
Cremisan view photo
07
07_AAU_WWW_Axonometry.jpg
Digital drawing of axonometry view
08
08_AAU_WWW_Production.jpg
Photo of While We Wait installation in production
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09_AAU_WWW_Production.jpg
Photo of While We Wait installation in production
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10_AAU_WWW_V&A
While We Wait at the Day Lit Gallery at the Victoria & Albert Museum
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11_AAU_WWW_ALSERKAL
While We Wait at OMA's Concrete at Alserkal Avenue
Concept hand drawing
01
01_AAU_WWW_Concept hand drawing.jpg
Stereotomy sketch
02
02_AAU_WWW_Stereotomy sketch.jpg
Cremisan view photo
03
03_AAU_WWW_Cremisan photo.jpg
Cremisan view photo
04
04_AAU_WWW_Cremisan photo.jpg
Cremisan view photo
05
05_AAU_WWW_Cremisan photo.jpg
Cremisan view photo
06
06_AAU_WWW_Cremisan photo.jpg
Digital drawing of axonometry view
07
07_AAU_WWW_Axonometry.jpg
Photo of While We Wait installation in production
08
08_AAU_WWW_Production.jpg
Photo of While We Wait installation in production
09
09_AAU_WWW_Production.jpg
While We Wait at the Day Lit Gallery at the Victoria & Albert Museum
10
10_AAU_WWW_V&A
While We Wait at OMA's Concrete at Alserkal Avenue
11
11_AAU_WWW_ALSERKAL
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While We Wait
Learn More
  • blank 1
  • image
  • Stone Matters
  • image
  • image
  • local industries
  • blank 2
  • amoud
  • blank 3
  • MMAG
  • all purpuse
  • dar al majus
  • flat vault
  • blank 4
  • wonder cabinet
  • blank 5
  • radio alhara
  • credits