Mirna Bamieh's 'Sour Things' at NIKA Project Space Paris explores Palestinian food fermentation as resistance
In September, the NIKA Project Space in Paris unveiled 'Sour Things,' an exhibition by Palestinian artist Mirna Bamieh, which will be on display until October 27. Through the medium of food fermentation, Bamieh addresses themes of displacement, drawing connections to recent events in Gaza and the West Bank. The multimedia showcase features 'The Pantry,' comprising over 30 glass jars, alongside two videos and 22 watercolor pieces titled 'Sour Jars,' inspired by a social media post from a 13-year-old Palestinian girl. Additionally, 'The Wall' presents ceramic sculptures of rotting oranges, alluding to Ghassan Kanafani's 1962 narrative and Bamieh's own family background. 'The Staircase' exhibits glazed ceramic spices. Bamieh established the Palestine Hosting Society in 2018 and initiated 'Sour Things' at the 2023 Sharjah Biennial, highlighting food as a symbol of Palestinian resistance.
Key facts
- Mirna Bamieh's exhibition 'Sour Things' opened NIKA Project Space Paris in September
- The exhibition runs until October 27
- Bamieh is a Palestinian artist and founder of Palestine Hosting Society (established 2018)
- The show features three installations: The Pantry, The Wall, and The Staircase
- The Pantry includes over 30 hand-blown glass jars filled with salt for future fermentation
- 22 drawings called 'Sour Jars' incorporate a social media post by a 13-year-old Palestinian girl
- The Wall references Ghassan Kanafani's 1962 story 'The Land of Sad Oranges'
- Bamieh began the 'Sour Things' series at the 2023 Sharjah Biennial
Entities
Artists
- Mirna Bamieh
- Ghassan Kanafani
- Nazilya Nagimova
Institutions
- NIKA Project Space
- Palestine Hosting Society
- Sharjah Biennial
- Canvas
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Dubai
- United Arab Emirates
- Gaza
- West Bank
- Palestine
- Jaffa
- Sharjah
- Romainville
- Portugal
- Lisbon