البين
The Liminal
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Performative installation by alaa minawi
Concept
The present is no longer working. A group of individuals chose to leave it all and go inside a wall. There between the pipes and the cables they live and thrive. From time to time, they press themselves close to the surface to whisper in the ears of those who are still outside. A 7.5 m by 2.4m by 1m self standing wall that emits sound with 8 two-steps wooden ladders spread around. 
From presentation as a work in progress in IDFA 2024
Research Background
The research started with an interest in investigating the Arab Futurism Movement and Afro Futursim, specifically in the part where a future is reimagined yet in direct connection to the socio political context. The interest in the Arab Futurism movement became specific to the idea of reimagining the future through reimagining the power dynamics. "If this present is not working, let us reimagine a future." This project also is a continuation of alaa minawi's research on the invisibility of performer. 
Audience getting close to the wall to hear the story (from presentation in IDFA 2024 - Amsterdam - Netherlands)
Audience Experience
The installation is an empty room, with a freestanding wall at its center. Sound emerges from the wall. As the audience presses their ears against it, they hear these sounds and begin to uncover an entire community living and thriving within the walls. These communities have decided to leave the (outside world). They did not disappear, they were not annihilated as the outside system would like them to. They are still in the walls, there is no way to get rid of them. The performance talks about the subject of underground bubbles, living in separate communities rather than one. A withdrawal from the harsh reality to recreate another one. Four characters mirrored on both sides of the wall tell their story. Each audience member hears and walks with one character throughout the installation, not knowing what the other audience members are listening to. 
From presentation in MOMO Rotterdam Netherlands 2025
Process
The performance takes place in a house. It is not Alaa’s house. Alaa is also a guest in it. The scenography does not interfere with the existing elements. It tries to navigate and find itself within it. Alaa adapts the hosting house to the script and the spectators’ experience. The process starts by visiting the designated host’s house a few days before the performance on a daily basis. then sensing the routine, energy, connections, and house rules of the space. Then adapts parts of the house’s elements in his performance.
Nominations and Awards
While presented in IDFA as a work in progress, The liminal received A Special Mention by the Jury within immersive Non-Fiction Competition 2024. The jury: "As a jury, we are moved to commend the intention and the imagination of a speculative work-in-progress that encourages active listening and reaching through walls erected to separate people. This work uses spatial sound to create a choreography between a wall, the stories inside that wall, and the people who stand outside of it. It invites audiences to inhabit an awkward state of learning-something we feel is needed more than ever at this time." Alaa Minawi was nominated for the Dutch Directors Award 2025 in the category, Digital Storytelling for “The Liminal”. Fellow directors select what they consider one of the most impressive directorial achievements of 2024/2025. The Liminal was in the top three nominees.
Words from audience members
Henny Dorr (Scenographer, Art Academic): "I didn’t see you, but I saw, heard, and deeply felt the greatness of your work; poetic, humanistic, and profoundly moving. It made me cry. As a human being, I was overwhelmed by your powerful interpretation of the world and the mind. Your exploration of inter-humanity, of "home" versus the world, and of the unspeakable horror of genocide. The wall, as you presented it, became two places at once: a border meant to protect, and a boundary that makes us disappear, die, be and not be, present yet unseen. I struggle to find the right words, but I want to say how much I admire your way, your poetic, artistic, brilliant way, of revealing a reality that is more than dramatic. The wall is a poem, a composition, a home, a hell, a love dialogue, and a trauma for the spectator, all at the same time. You offer reality as multiplicity, where people and life exist as an enormous, painful contradiction. Katerina Batwski (Performing Artis): The work is so strong. A lullaby for a revolution Poster
poster
Trailer
Team
Maker: Alaa Minawi Assistant Director: Georges Abboud Dramaturge: Marijn Lems Text by: Alaa Minawi - Raafat Majzoub - Ibrahim Nehme Voice Actors: Carole Abboud - Dana Mikhail - Frida - Omar Daou - Alaa Minawi Sound: Ziad Moukarzel - Martijn Tellinga - Joav Richartz Builder: Thiadmer Van Gallen Video teaser: Bachar Khattar Poster Designer: Chadi Aoun Background Singers: Michelle kattar - Gretta kosseifi - Sabine nassar - Georges abboud - Pia Issa- Nina Jabbour - Awad Awad - Maria Khatchadorian - Takouhi Avakian - David Oryan - Aziz Badro. Special Thanks: Katerina Batawski - Awad Awad - Rumi Dalli - Omaima El Khalil - Chiara Ferilli - Karim Dakroub - Omar Abi Azar - Rakan Mayasi - Anthony Assaker - Abed Kassir - Sophie Kasser - Olivier Decriaud - Stephane Levy - Joanllu Terrassa - Allyson Gómez Ortiz - Celia Mills - Aravind TM - Monnot Theater. Supported by: Ibsen Scope - Dar El Nimer - Netherlands Film Funds - International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam - Goethe Institut - Het Huis Utrecht - MOMO Festival - MOVEO. Performed at:
International Documentary Festival Amsterdam - Brake Grond - Amsterdam Netherlands - November 2024 (as work in progress) MOMO - Warm Space - Rotterdam Netherlands - April 2025 (as work in progress) Spring Utrecht Festival - Utrecht Netherlands - May 2025 (World Premier) Photos
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