Disarming Design from Palestine

Disarming Design from Palestine presents and sells unusual products from Palestine, which were created under the supervision of the design label’s co-founder and artistic director Annelys de Vet. These items are exhibited in several rooms in the 18th century Hotel De Coninck, in the margin of the Flemish-Palestinian festival Under Construction (16.02.2018 - 25.02.2018). Many of these everyday objects were designed by contemporary designers and artists, in collaboration with local craftsmen.

The aim of these objects is to spread an alternative narrative about what life is like in Palestine today. A glass measuring cup highlights the unequal division of water resources, a plate lends an insight into hospitality, a wallet allows you to conceal or reveal your identity while a bag lets you listen to the sounds of Jerusalem.

The collection wants to help ‘disarm’ the prevailing media image about the situation in Palestine. The design label’s products and activities raise questions about the status quo, while also informing a wider audience and offering a different narrative. As such, the project examines how design can play a role in conflict mediation, while creating a platform for a discourse on design in Palestine and beyond.