Al Jaar Qabla Al Daar (The Neighbour Before the House)

Overview

The Neighbour Before the House is a series of video probes into the landscape of East Jerusalem. Shot with a PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) security camera, these images show that before and after instrumental 'surveillance' there is inquisitiveness, jest, memory, desire and doubt pervades the project of watching. Often the image leads the commentary.

At other times, the narrative spills out first and the live camera operator seeks an image that might provide evidence. Palestinian residents evaluate what they see, and reflect on the nature of their distance from others. They observe nearby archeological digs, their homes, the wall, both near and far settlement activity, and other seemingly mundane aspects of the relentless occupation of East Jerusalem.

The project unfolded over a month in neighbourhoods and homes in the Old City, Sheikh Jarra and Silwan and in other areas of Greater Jerusalem including Beit Hanina and Azariyah. The project stems from CAMP and Shaina Anand’s earlier work around critical documentary, participation and surveillance systems.


April 2011

This project was part of Sharjah Biennial 10

Commissioned for the Jerusalem Show 2009 curated by Jack Persekian and Nina Montmann.

Credits

Project by Shaina Anand, Ashok Sukumaran and Nida Ghouse, with Mahmoud Jiddah, Shereen Barakat and Mahasen Nasser Eldin.