Souvenirs from the Future (2022)
collaborative project created with Dahlia Elsayed
Souvenirs from the Future is a fictive survey of artifacts from an undated future that tell the story of Mustaqbaaaahpolis (future-breath-city), a city built on interchange of ideas, aesthetics and knowledge in a system liberated of chrononormativity and extractive economic systems.
The exhibition presents the material culture and rituals of this thriving south west Asian / north African (SWANA) imaginary, which values sensory experiences, creativity, post-commodity exchanges and a deep connection to the natural world.
Souvenirs from the Future uses the familiar experience of engaging with traditional institutional presentations that look back in linear time, but here Elsayed and Demirjian invite visitors to look forward and envision the possibilities of a future history.
The story of Mustaqbaaaahpolis is told through wall text and artifact labels.
Detail of wall label above for the sculpture on the left.
The installation is divided into five sections:
Notions of the Temporal
Mapping Terrains
Recreational, Ritual and Household Objects
Textiles
Printed Matter
Wall text for the textiles section:
In Mustaqbaaaahpolis, wearables embrace genderlessness, communicate inclusivity, express pleasure and sensuality. Textiles are brightly colored with energetic patterns, and often feature symbols of celebration. Apparel intentionally does not feed notions of hierarchy, superiority, exclusion or individual exceptionalism, and items are regularly swapped and rotated through the community.
Label text for each item from left to right:
Robe for Laying Down
Rug for Listening to Subterranean Signals
Shirt for Bird Watching
Wall label text for objects above:
Top Shoes for Dancing
Bottom Left Shoes for Ascending a Staircase Silently
Bottom Right Shoes for Solitary Pilgrimage
Rug for Foot Play
Wall label text for objects above:
Some Typical Plates
A Tissue for No Tears
4 examples of decorated tissue boxes
Decorated tissue boxes are ubiquitous in every home. They symbolize sharing and generosity, and are used during The Celebrations of Remembrance for Those Who Suffered Under the Tyranny of Extractive Economies Parade, which consists of a day of weeping followed by dancing.
