Passing, a durational new performance by artists Michele Feder-Nadoff and Kanaan Kanaan, is the latest in a series of collaborative works begun in 2001 as a response to on-going Middle East conflict and worldwide strife. Illuminated by their personal experiences of diasporas based on their respective Jewish and Muslim traditions, together they have created works that explore and symbolize the struggle and desire to maintain hope through trust. Concepts of stitching and sewing are always central to their work. As a needle is passed through fabric to create an intricate, woven cloth, they create installations and performances from dialogues, conversations, arguments, dialectics about ongoing current events, wars, bombings, disasters, captures and releases.
Passing is the recent result of this eight-year collaboration between Feder-Nadoff and Kanaan. A simple muslin fabric is suspended by taut wire, transforming the space into two distinct areas. Minimal and suggestive, simple gestures and humble materials, needles and red and blue threads are passed from one side to the other through the muslin membrane. Of Jewish and Palestinian heritage respectively, the artists are engaged in a silent dialogue as a retaliation to the explosive conflict occurring in the Middle East. passing is an evocative work; however, prompted by a real political situation, it does not posit a political answer.
Passing is a ten by twenty foot swath of muslin to which the artists are embroidering from the center outwards improvisation-ally, with the intention of filling both sides of the entire surface. The artists have been creating the work incrementally at previous venues in shorter durations.
reaching out and through
mending
mourning prayers two stories
thin and delicate
separation close proximity
feel the other side
losing control and having control
power of silence
power and no power
Residency and Sponsorship/Acquisition Program:
Currently, the artists are organizing university residencies and workshops inter/nationally. To support the completion of passing they are seeking institutional sponsorship with acquisition of the final work. For more information lease contact the artists at either This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .