Creative Sound Professional Bint Mbareh Aligns Melodies with Palestinian Struggle
Hear ye, hear ye! Bint Mbareh, a sound artist hailing from the bustling streets of Ramallah, uses water's metaphorical waves to conjure up the complex emotions surrounding this vital yet contentious resource for Palestinians. With a background in exploring Palestinian rain-summoning songs, Bint Mbareh presents a unique take on this traditional music, blending technology with a live performance to twist, destabilize, and remix these ancient melodies.
As a refugee herself, Bint Mbareh hasn't had the chance to sing these generations-old tunes with her family, but that hasn't stopped her from learning and reinterpreting them. Her work, such as Time Flows in All Directions: Water Flows Through Me, reflects the instability and tumult that has long characterized Palestine, mirroring the ebb and flow of its surroundings.
From her base in London, Bint Mbareh used her "choir" — a group of close friends and collaborators — to give collective voice to the grief that aired after a devastating event in October 2023. The combination of these collective voices, often with a wit and humor that intrigues audiences, serves as a potent reminder of the resilience and strength that runs through Palestinian society. In 2021, she even joined forces with Clairo, FKA twigs, and Blood Orange at an Artists for Aid benefit concert, leaving a lasting impression on the attendees.
More recently, Bint Mbareh has shifted towards creating physical installations like Bodies of Knowledge and What's Left?, which incorporate elements such as water tanks that vibrate and toy cars, offering audiences a hands-on experience of her art. These installations further demonstrate her ability to juxtapose opposing emotions, exploring the delicate balance between levity and the harsh realities of life under occupation.
What's more, Bint Mbareh plays with her name, "bint mbareh," which translates to "born yesterday" — a playful nod to the naivety and humility she brings to her work as she fearlessly tackles the complicated subject matter of her home country. With this unapologetic blend of humor and depth, she delves into what she calls "the most literal ways that sound can be resistance."
So, folks, don't miss out on the opportunity to immerse yourself in the sonic waves created by Bint Mbareh, as she explores the many layers of Palestinian life with a unique blend of wit, courage, and emotion.
- Bint Mbareh, a modern artist known for her sound installations, uses her unique blend of traditional Palestinian rain-summoning songs and technology to mirror the instability and tumult of Palestine, showcasing her work in galleries.
- After a devastating event in October 2023, Bint Mbareh collaborated with a choir of close friends to create a performance that encapsulated collective grief, demonstrating the resilience and strength of Palestinian society.
- Moving beyond her live performances, Bint Mbareh now creates physical installations like Bodies of Knowledge and What's Left?, incorporating interactive elements such as vibrating water tanks and toy cars, offering a hands-on experience of her art.
- Bint Mbareh's art, with its unapologetic combination of humor and depth, serves as an entertainment experience that delves into the most literal ways that sound can be resistance, offering a unique exploration of the complexities of Palestinian life.
