Dania Abimourched: Layer Cake

Artist Statement

My art is about the resistance and acceptance of one’s cultural pressures and expectations. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, I moved to the United States at the age of ten. Having grown up in Lebanon and the United States, I am caught between two worlds. My art work addresses issues of bi-cultural identity that are integrated in everyday life activities. The essential questions that guide my work are: How is the experience of merging different cultural traditions demonstrated in everyday activities? How have my everyday activities been affected by values imposed by both cultures?
My method of working focuses on issues of identity, gender and culture through the use of narratives, images, and food in an event that allows the viewer to interact with the art piece. For example, I collected recipes for a traditional Arabic dessert called Namoura from family and friends for the piece with the same name. Everyone was excited that I had wanted to try their recipes which allowed for discussion on traditions and their family history. The recipes were similar to some degree. Some changes were attributed to lack of availability of traditional ingredients, while other changes resulted from incorporating baking techniques from their adopted culture.
In focusing on a domestic action such as baking, which is a basic activity in any culture, I feel I am better able to address my questions of identity, gender and culture. I allow the viewer to make connections to their own everyday experiences and consider the role of bi-cultural identity in everyday life, because they can interact with my art.

Dania Abimourched

Saturday, July 21, 2007

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