rūḥ al-rūḥ – jan-e janān

Testing The Water is a performative exploration of identity, faith, and societal expectations,centered on the queer body as a site of resistance and reclamation. The video features the artist wearing an abaya, a religious garment symbolizing faith in Lebanon, yet not cultural clothing. This garment, previously displayed in the artist’s solo exhibition Misbaha, carries inscriptions from over 200 individuals who shared their sacrifices to meet societal expectations. These collective voices echo in the gallery, creating a contemplative dialogue between personal and collective experiences.The work reflects the artist’s personal narrative, addressing the inherited "shame" tied to societal norms, particularly regarding gender and sexuality. Movements such as belly dancing, an expression forbidden to the artist in childhood due to its gendered associations,and the whirling dervish, re-imagined here as a metaphorical act of resistance, highlight the performative nature of societal expectations.