The project takes its stepping-off point from Maurice Harron's iconic public sculpture, Hands Across the Divide. Erected in 1992, the sculpture is located in the doubly named City of Derry-Londonderry, marked by its complex identities in Northern Ireland. It symbolises "the letting go of the past and reconciliation between both sides of the political divide during The Troubles."

Barakeh reimagines this historical piece, focusing on the hands of the monument's two figures and precisely the gap between them: cast in bronze, frozen in an unfinished reconciliation, almost meeting but never genuinely joining. This gap, filled with traumas and emotional memories, historical and political differences, resonated deeply with Khaled, who is from a country recently torn apart by sectarianism and deep-seated conflicts. He is drawn to exploring the potential within this void as an opportunity for new thinking that could bridge societal divides. By considering it as a connector rather than a divider, the gap metaphorically opens a space for this to negotiate the essence of it, encouraging viewers to contemplate what can be done differently.

The project explores the relationship between public and interior spaces, examining the role of public art as permanent fixtures and immutable historical markers, especially in places marked by contested histories. These sculptures stand as timeless sentinels for specific narratives and memories within an ever-evolving socio-political landscape, prompting reflection on the aspects of history that should be remembered or consigned to oblivion to be able to move forward.

A socially engaged segment of The Shake will unfold during the exhibition period. It will involve collaboration with a coalition of local organisations and stakeholders. This partnership aims to broaden efforts toward equitable civic participation and create more inclusive societies, particularly for communities that have been marginalised or disenfranchised due to race, ethnicity, gender, or other affiliations. Together, through utopian thinking, they will foster a series of events, artistic interventions, and workshops. These activities are designed to bring new political imaginaries to life that challenge stagnant realities.

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Images courtesy of the MAC Belfast and Simon Mills