What Would You Die For?
Throughout history, humans have sacrificed, ‘sold their soul’, and risked their lives for the greater good. They have fought to the death to secure food and shelter, to protect loved ones, and to preserve culture, identity and honor. In this new artwork I explore the intensely personal yet universal question: What would you die for? The multi-screen digital installation interrogates its enormity and complexity, challenging us to think more deeply about the psychology and language of persuasion that shapes our lives.
The installation is part of the exhibit Unraveling Persuasion, on display at the Media Majlis in Northwestern University in Qatar. Spanning 56 screens in the main exhibition space, the installation explores the theme of persuasion from twelve different angles, demonstrating the omnipresence of persuasion in our daily lives. In addition to the artist's input, the project includes contributions from students at Northwestern University in Qatar, the American University in Cairo and Westminster University in London.
What Would You Die For? answers this question through visual content that touches upon twelve different themes from our daily lives exploring how persuasion exercises an immense power on individuals. The power of persuasion is seen at a grand-scale in the ability of mass media to craft and distribute narratives about events in different parts of the world and in the influence of capitalism on the buying habits of people amongst many other things. The ultimate form of persuasion to the artist is one that leads people to give up their lives.
Northwestern University, Doha - Qatar. What Would You Die For? 28 minute 56-screen video installation. 24 August 2021 to 30 April 2022
