Untitled (Teta’s living room)

Installation work for end-of-year studio exhibition, leveraging the notion of manufactured nostalgia through an immersive Levantine experience, highlighting cultural representation and inclusivity in urban and Western spaces.

May 2024

Installation work, multimedia, soundscape

In her immersive and interactive installation project, Axelle Kurban delves into the captivating narrative power of food, employing it as the focal point to evoke a manufactured nostalgia deeply rooted in Lebanese heritage. By amalgamating elements reminiscent of a Lebanese grandparent's living room, including nostalgic objects and an old TV showcasing quintessential Lebanese shows, Axelle aims to transport viewers into a realm where cultural memories intertwine with sensory experiences.

Central to the installation are boxes filled with diffuser stones exuding the essence of traditional Lebanese dishes, each capturing the distinct aroma that evokes memories of home-cooked meals shared with loved ones, with each dish accompanied by its own recipe. As participants engage with the immersive environment, they are enveloped in a symphony of sights, sounds, and scents, fostering a profound connection to Lebanese cuisine and culture.

Through this sensory journey, Axelle seeks to transcend mere consumption, inviting participants to explore the intricate stories embedded within each dish. By tangibilizing smell and enhancing the appreciation of ingredients, she aims to recontextualize Lebanese cuisine, challenging prevailing perceptions often reduced to fast and street food. In doing so, Axelle endeavors to reclaim the authenticity of Lebanese culinary traditions, offering a nuanced understanding beyond superficial representations.

Axelle believes it is crucial now more than ever for Arab artists and designers to actively participate in shaping the global narrative surrounding our heritage, our origins, our culture, and the lands we call home. As Arab artists navigating Western spaces, it is important to not shy away from taking up place in the Occidental world and be proud of where we come from, sensitizing the world to our people, our homelands, and consequently, our struggles. This project serves as a testament to the importance of cultural representation and inclusivity in urban environments, providing a platform for dialogue and fostering a sense of belonging for diverse communities.

"Untitled (Teta’s living room)" not only contributes to Axelle's personal creative practice but also underscores the broader significance of food, culture, and identity in shaping urban experiences. By celebrating our shared heritage and embracing cultural diversity, we pave the way for a more inclusive and empathetic society, where the richness of our collective narratives enriches the fabric of urban life.

For the exhibition, Axelle specially compiled a recipe book representing the five dishes she illustrated olfactively, showcasing a full traditional Lebanese meal from mezze to main dish, and concluding with dessert.

Axelle had the privilege of exhibiting this piece at Galerie D in Romainville alongside her classmates for their collective end-of-year studio exhibition, "Transitory Spaces: Urban Reflections." The following is an extract of the exhibition catalogue which was put together by the team she was apart of.

AXELLE KURBAN

AXELLE KURBAN

Untitled (Teta’s living room)