what is 2048

2048 is the name of the series of presentations/ installations / performative installations that alaa minawi showcases to the spectators when he tackles a certain aspect of his continuous artistic research around the notion of belonging and/or what stems/derives out of that notion. This research was initiated in 2016 as part of alaa minawi’s thesis during his studies in Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht, HKU while attaining a masters in the arts. The thesis that was focused on the philosophical, metaphysical, and existential aspects of belonging and non-belonging concluded in 2018 by presenting an inquisitive installation under the name "2048 - the machine". 

in 2019, alaa focused his research on the political aspect of belonging, trying to find connections between it and identity, nationalism, and globalization. he took maps and borders as references and found no-man’s land a logical space that is charged with conflicts and tension to almost the point of neutrality. he also takes the case of the stateless as a witness to the failure of the current system to be inclusive thus its inability to achieve the longed for belonging. this was presented in a performative installation that deals with the notion of presence and absence and its relationship to belonging. it was under the name "2048 - bodies – borders – belonging" presented in amsterdam fringe festival 2019. 

from the first and second part of the research alaa will worked on a third presentation of 2048 in november 2019 under the name "2048 – what does not make us one." the installation focused on the relationship between the self and the body. it portrayed the self as a barrier, an obstacle in achieving belonging. the installation was presented in dancing on the edge festival 2019. 
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