Alaa Minawi: The Liminal

The present is no longer working. A group of individuals has chosen to leave it all behind and retreat inside a wall. There, among the pipes and cables, they live and thrive. From time to time, they press themselves against the surface to whisper into the ears of those still outside.

This project explores themes of underground communities, bubbles, and living in separate communities rather than one. It is a withdrawal from a harsh reality to recreate a world.

The Liminal is part of a series titled No Man’s Land, which will be presented in full in 2026. Inspired by the Arab Futurist movement, alaa minawi delves into power structures and possibilities to reflect on our current systems. At its core, the work examines presence versus absence.

*The Arabic Futuristic movement blends Arab traditions with futuristic ideas in art, music, fashion, and film. It explores themes like technology and alternative visions of the future, often from an Arab perspective. It’s about futuristic art, electronic music, and sci-fi that reimagines Arab culture in new ways.