Zhana Assaad

Presented at W139 and Exhale. Thrown from a communistic society to an individualistic one, my focus veered towards leading tarot reading workshops titled “Critical Care Reading” utilising a methodology rooted in critical hope; which is the ability to assess one’s environment from a perspective of justice and equity while envisioning a hopeful outlook towards the future. The workshops have become a way to bring individuals together and open up discussions around difficult topics, each time focusing on a specified topic or theme. I aim and make sure to create a space where those participating feel safe and welcome to voice their fears, vulnerabilities and even their sensitive opinions in a constructive and dedicated way. In the workshops, we explore the subconscious’s ability to speak to us through the images that come up, and to create critical outlooks disregarding an end result, focusing only on the process.

Presented at Exhale. Thrown from a communistic society to an individualistic one, my focus veered towards leading tarot reading workshops titled “Critical Care Reading” utilising a methodology rooted in critical hope; which is the ability to assess one’s environment from a perspective of justice and equity while envisioning a hopeful outlook towards the future. The workshops have become a way to bring individuals together and open up discussions around difficult topics, each time focusing on a specified topic or theme. I aim and make sure to create a space where those participating feel safe and welcome to voice their fears, vulnerabilities and even their sensitive opinions in a constructive and dedicated way. In the workshops, we explore the subconscious’s ability to speak to us through the images that come up, and to create critical outlooks disregarding an end result, focusing only on the process.

The pillow-like shapes hang from the ceiling inspired by symbolism from the tarot imagery by Pamela Colman Smith. The fabrics were hand-dye using organic material symbolizing ephemerality and decay. The colors were shifted to obtain the dark hues using home-made rusted iron water.

The rose is a significant piece from this work. Below it hangs a blank white flag from the same fabric. The two represent life and death. Both inspired from tarot imagery from Pamela Colman Smith's illustrations.

The pillow-like shapes hang from the ceiling inspired by symbolism from the tarot imagery by Pamela Colman Smith. The fabrics were hand-dye using organic material symbolizing ephemerality and decay. The colors were shifted to obtain the dark hues using home-made rusted iron water.

This print is a transcription of the accompanying installation audio titled: أسعى دائماً – seeking/striving

This print is a translation of the accompanying installation audio titled: أسعى دائماً – seeking/striving

Thesis publication design. The thesis delves deep into themes of death, resilience and faith. The cover resembles the gravestones in the graveyard my grandparents are buried in in the South of Lebanon.

Thesis publication design. The chapter titles are engraved on stone.

Thesis publication design.

Thesis publication design.

Presented at W139. Thrown from a communistic society to an individualistic one, my focus veered towards leading tarot reading workshops titled “Critical Care Reading” utilising a methodology rooted in critical hope; which is the ability to assess one’s environment from a perspective of justice and equity while envisioning a hopeful outlook towards the future. The workshops have become a way to bring individuals together and open up discussions around difficult topics, each time focusing on a specified topic or theme. I aim and make sure to create a space where those participating feel safe and welcome to voice their fears, vulnerabilities and even their sensitive opinions in a constructive and dedicated way. In the workshops, we explore the subconscious’s ability to speak to us through the images that come up, and to create critical outlooks disregarding an end result, focusing only on the process.

Presented in Tunis at Mouhit. In Islam, a shroud is used to wrap the corpses of the lives lost with a 100 verse prayer written on. The aim is to join together as a community and create a shroud from people all over the world. Each dedicating a verse, a prayer, an offering that will make up the 100 verses of our communal shroud. These fabrics were naturally hand-dyed and shifted using home-made iron water emphasizing change and ephemerality.

Presented in Amsterdam at W139. In Islam, a shroud is used to wrap the corpses of the lives lost with a 100 verse prayer written on. The aim is to join together as a community and create a shroud from people all over the world. Each dedicating a verse, a prayer, an offering that will make up the 100 verses of our communal shroud. These fabrics were naturally hand-dyed and shifted using home-made iron water emphasizing change and ephemerality.

The mix as presented on the online exhibition. The music begins playing as soon as you enter the exhibition, setting the tone.

Inspired by the low quality xerox printer effect typically used at internet cafés in the early 2000s.

Cover for the video performance.

These sculptures are an exploration of storytelling through the creation of objects that carry an experience within them. The story is inspired by a very personal subject, it suggests a time of hardship, of resilience and the ability to be molded as we go through the difficult happenings of life. There is an interplay between the sturdiness and sharpness of these sculptures as well as their fragility and malleability. These ceramic works were presented alongside the video-performance work titled morph into meta-centipede.