Songs of Exile, Video Installation, Ottawa, Canada, 2023.
Production Saw Art Center, Beirut Art Residency and the French Embassy of Ottawa.
The artist invited twelve individuals, long-time residents of Ottawa from various countries, to perform a song that evokes their homeland, in the language of their choice. Set against a minimalist green background, each participant stands alone, their voice resonating with touching fragility in the silence of the room. Many of these individuals have not returned to their home countries for years; others cannot return due to their sexual orientation or political situations in their homelands. The absence of background music enhances the emotional resonance of the voices, providing an intense and poignant auditory experience that highlights the intimacy and vulnerability of each personal expression, underscored by their complex personal stories.