Palestinian Storytelling Museum

Faculty of Fine Arts, Alexandria University in Alexandria

Project idea

OLIVE TREE,the presence of olive trees in Palestine symbolizes the deep connection Palestinians have with their land. Olive trees endure harsh conditions like drought and poor soil, yet remain rooted in their place, mirroring the resilience of Palestinians. Many Palestinian families have inherited olive trees across generations, reflecting the enduring history and heritage of the Palestinian people.

Project description

In this storytelling musuem,the hardships and tragedies endured by the Palestinian people over the decades will be recounted, alongside a strong emphasis on the hope and optimism for the eventual achievement of freedom.

The project concept symbolizes the Palestinian journey over the years by dividing the museum into four phases: historical phase, turning point phase, tragedy phase, and liberation phase.


HISTORY : in the early origin of embroidery , the landscape was a major source of inspiration for Palestinian women in designing many patterns and motifs , this shows the difference in style that was common between all the different expressions of embroidery that were specific to each Palestinian village. Also, I’ve mentioned the materials that formed Palestine and referenced old Palestinian maps. Additionally, there's an opportunity to smell the scent of Palestine and experiencing its history through virtual exploration.

TURNING POINT: shows critical historical events include the Balfour Declaration (1917), Arab Revolt (1936), UN Partition Plan (1948), Arab-Israeli War (1948), Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (1967), First Intifada (1987-1993), Second Intifada (2000-2005), Israel-Hamas conflict (2023). Also, discussing the significance of the key of return for Palestinians.

TRAGEDY: highlighting the situation in Palestine and how it is extremely grave, with continuous conflict leading to a high number of deaths and extensive damage. Numerous families have had to abandon their homes to escape the relentless airstrikes and military attacks. Medical facilities are struggling to cope with the influx of wounded people, and critical infrastructure such as schools and water systems has been heavily impacted. The persistent fear and instability have triggered a humanitarian crisis, leaving many people in desperate need of assistance.

LIBERATION: The hope for freedom among Palestinians is a powerful and resilient force that has sustained their struggle for decades. Despite enduring hardships, displacement, and conflict, Palestinians continue to dream of a future where they can live in peace, dignity, and self-determination. These elements are referenced in the project through features such as landscapes, birds, water, and sculptures that symbolize freedom.

TUNNEL: connecting all these phases together ; including poems of the poet Mahmoud Darwish.

Technical information

PLAN CONCEPT:
• Each stage of the project will be positioned at one vertex of the triangle, linked together by tunnel to create a journey that showcases all phases.

• The Liberation phase will be positioned at the center as a focal point, symbolized by an olive tree whose roots will divide each section of the plan. This signifies that in every phase, Palestinians maintain a steadfast connection to the land, akin to the resilience of the olive tree.

• The underground central part of the plan illustrates how deeply ingrained this relationship between Palestinians and their land is within the landscape.

LIGHTING:
The lighting shifts according to the different stages of the musuem. In the tragedy phase, artificial lighting is used exclusively, with spotlights focusing on the images and signs that depict the events. As the musuem progresses, the lighting transitions from dark, artificial lighting to natural light, culminating in the freedom phase where natural light floods the space through a skylight.

VENTILATION:
Mechanical ventilation system: It is used in musuems that contain a large number of art pieces.The system purifies the air, improves its quality, and
controls temperature and humidity.

MATERIALS:
The materials will vary between phases. In the liberation phase, glass, water, and elements symbolizing freedom will be used, whereas in the tragedy phase, more stagnant materials like concrete will be utilized.

Documentation

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