This site-specific installation is 10 feet in height, with 8 feet width, 2 feet depth. Hung from the ceiling is a suspended boat, with sails made of printed structures inspired by Mesopotamian civilizations. These sails comprise 3 layers–forming archways and windows, upon which are printed ancient artifacts.
The bottom of the ship is open. Hanging from it are around 20 or 30 passport-like portraits of people, which move according to the air currents in the space. The people in the portraits are related directly to the ancient civilizations.
The entire structure is made of cotton fabric, with crimson and black acrylic paint.
Sailing to Nowhere was conceived in response to the refugee crisis, then and now.
It follows the plight and stories of refugees caught in the on-going war in the Middle East, the routes they travel to escape violence and the stories they carry with them. Today, we are witnessing the highest levels of displacement ever on record. Over 4.8 million refugees have fled Syria alone. 4,699 drowned in 2016 alone trying to cross the sea.
The art installation opened in January 2024 at the Sheen Center lobby and art gallery, 18 Bleecker Street, NYC. The Sheen Center has been reaching out to Arab artists to foster dialogue across culture and religion for years. The Sheen Center premiered this art exhibition, during the production of a play and a symposium on refugees.
Sailing to Nowhere was made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Kevork Mourad 
You must be logged in to post a comment.