Weltmuseum with Julia
(thanks to Franzi and Annalisa)
A Poem by Johanna
I’d love to be a ma‘amoul but sadly, I’m a Vanillekipferl
I say I’m Lebanese, but I’ve been lying I’ve pushed this part of me away for so long or never even recognised it
These faces that stay silent that have kept so much inside
But I’m telling the story ’cause I’m learning to love it
And it’s never too late to get to know yourself
I can cherish both closeness and distance at the same time
And realise that these parts of me are two of my strengths
Ich wär gern ein Ma‘amoul
aber ich bin leider ein Vanillekipferl
Ich sag’, ich bin Libanesin, aber ich habe gelogen
Ich hab diesen Teil lange von mir geschoben
oder
gar nicht erkannt
Diese Gesichter, die schweigen
und haben damals viel geschwiegen
Aber ich erzähl’ die Geschichte,
weil ich grad lern’, sie zu lieben
Und es ist nie zu spät,
sich selbst kennenzulernen
Ich kann von Nähe und Ferne
doch gleichzeitig schwärmen
Und merken:
die Teile sind zwei meiner Stärken
Getting in Touch with Lebanese Craftspeople
no replies (yet!).
So I asked cousins of my father.
“Unfortunately Julia we lost all the contacts in the business plus most of them passed away, sorry for not being helpful 🙏” (Nasser)
“Hey Julia
How are you?! hope all is well!
We have a distant cousin that works as a carpenter his name is Khaled Masri but he does not know English.
Would you like me to provide you with his number? Maybe Farid can help you. I can help with the translation if u want as well” (Lina)
“Hi Julia dear❤️how r u? Hope u nd ur family r doing well, listen i will try to get u in contact with the artisans of Lebanon sure👍👍” (Rima)
Traditional Crafting Techniques
straw + wood marquetry
Straw Marquetry
Wood Marquetry
Questions
How do I bring it all together? (technique + stories)
Is it about learning something about my father’s past or about myself? or both?
(How) can others relate to this project?
What kind of object? -> eg. conversation starter for my family? collection of my try-outs? something just for myself?
Next
Get in touch with Khaled
Talk to my Dad (+ Uncle)
Keep on learning how to do marquetry (+ document the process)
