The designs challenge and confront many social and political preconceptions. They relay the struggle of Palestinians to many who have no idea about the derogatory experiences that are faced under occupation. We keep learning from each other, as Disarming Design is a form of cultural resistance and a way to show solidarity in the face of occupation.

In this story we share the highlights of 2022, from the activities in our studio to how we crystallised our organisational structure, from our site-visits to artists and artisans, to the in-depth conversations about the challenges of their practices, and the platforms in which their work resonated. We were able to increase production and distribution, reaching people around the world. Learn with us, and join our journey in 2023 in which we hope to find more places to present our designs, longer term partnerships for logistics and meaningful platforms to amplify the voices of resistance.

In our Belgium based studio Julia Mrad passed on her tasks to Omar Kashmiry and Natalia Lopez Lopez, together they improved our social media, sparkled events and took care of the packaging, labelling and shipping. Two interns, Maut Schoofs and Lucia Mansueto, developed the organisation with their management and research skills. Together with designer Annelys Devet the processes were facilitated, our network expanded and our communication improved. In Jerusalem designer Jessica Azizeh assisted in the development of prototypes, brainstorming with designers and producers. Aya Abu Ghazaleh worked with the artisans in Jerash Camp in Jordan to manufacture the designs that we developed together during our create-shop in 2018. And with Gaza based artist Mohamed Abusal we set up several exchanges and new productions. We thank our board, Hildegard Devuyst, Kurt Vanbellghem and Yazan Iwidat for their engagement with whom we professionalised our ecosystem.

Making and improving

As we work directly with different artisans and designers, we were blessed to be able to travel to them in Palestine (after three years delay due to the lockdown). We engaged in conversations about their work, their situation and we envisioned together future plans and improvements. We visited ceramic workshops, the Keffiyeh factory, the Tuqan soap factory, the blind-people workshop, Stars & Fashion, and the flagstone tile factory Jalal Ashlan – in Hebron, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah and Nablus. We picked up jewellery at Zaytouna and visited art residency Dar Jacir. We met up with artists (and previous create-shop participants) Lama Takruri, Ayed Arefeh, Fida Shafi, Ibrahim Al Hindi, Lara Salous and many more. And we stayed in the wonderful Turquoise house and learned more about the Yalla Project and their regeneration of the old city of Nablus. We brought back many new products, as well as a heavy heart due to the worsening situation on the ground.

Sharing the designs during events

• Culinary Celebration with award-winning Chef Sami Tamimi, 30 September, Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam
  We were invited by The Hummus Academy to be part of the ‘Culinary Celebration With Award-Winning Chef Sami Tamimi’ at Pakhuis De Zwijger (Amsterdam). Our products were true – and critical – conversation starters, and this special evening the Qastina aprons were by far our most favourite item. A big shout-out to The Hummus Academy for setting up this incredible event and bringing together so much solidarity.
• Week for the liberation of Palestine, 24—29 October, Brussels
  With our pop-up shop, we participated in an evening organised by La Grue collective, where two young activists reported back on their experiences in Palestine (Sacco-Vanzetti). At the DK, we were present during the conference on the history of the links between the revolutionary movements of Palestine, Europe, the Arab region and elsewhere. Finally, we met and talked with Belgian as well as international movements supporting Palestine and joined them in the march to the European Parliament.
• Palestinakomiteen i Bergen,16 November, Knut Knaus, Bergen
  In collaboration with the association Raster at the Department of Design at KMD UiB, Visualizing Palestine (VP) and we presented works and methods that describe Palestinian reality through visual communication. The presentation was part of a larger series of event in solidarity with the Palestinian cause in which our products were presented.
• Middle East Christmas Market, 17 December, Pianofabriek, Brussels
  We were happy to join the Middle East Christmas Market focussing on crafts, art and limited edition items during an oriental bazaar at GC Pianofabriek, set up by the Iranian collective Comment peut-on être Persan?
• Pop-up Xmas market, 18 December, Orybany, Brussels
  The last weekend before Xmas we joined Orybany and Dosha Concept for a pop-up market! Our products were presented at Place Saint Géry 18 (next to Halles Saint Gèry) on the occasion of the Plaisirs d’Hiver.

• Lagrange points Brussels, Brussels
  Artist Mohamed Abusal was our guest at Lagrange Points Brussels last May. He shared insights through his practice on what is deemed permissible in terms of technology and civilisation in Gaza today. During the Q&A with Omar Kashmiry, he revealed how painting remains his first love, where he retreats to recharge. Abusal’s presentation marked the launch of our pop-up shop with a critical selection of the Disarming Design products. During the year they were available in the heart of Brussels, at Lagrange Points – until the magic place had to close their doors in November. We thank Lagrange for the inspiring collaboration.
• Branding Conflict, Space 204, Vanderbilt University, Tennessee
  Curated by Qais Assali, we were invited to be part of ‘Branding Conflict’, a group exhibition refusing imposed roles of oppression and victimhood for an un/brandable identity.
• Sales points, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, London, Sharja
  This year our products were on sale in museum shops in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, London and Sharjah, where visitors could engage with their stories. Next year we hope to expand our points of sales. By purchasing the designs and sharing their narratives, audiences support the artists and artisans in Palestine in their quest for a life in dignity, justice and freedom.

Learning from Disarming Design Conversations

• In this first episode of Disarming Design Conversations, we discuss politics, design, traditional crafts and cultural resistance with Ibrahim Muhtadi, Palestinian architect and designer from Gaza. Ibrahim is the designer and creator of the Gaza Love for Life Earrings that are directly inspired by a poem line by Mahmoud Darwish: “we love life whenever we can”.

• In this second episode of Disarming Design Conversations, we discuss the interaction between design and politics with Jessica Azizeh, designer and ceramist from Jerusalem. Jessica is currently working as an intern for Disarming Design From Palestine. She shares what life in Jerusalem feels like, what design means to her and how DDFP is amplifying Palestinian voices of cultural resistance.

Looking ahead

We glance back just as we look ahead, and trust the past year is a solid soil for the year to come. We hope to invest in further designs, grow our “in-person” sales, partner further with (museum)shops, invest in reaching more donors, and raise our digital connections and events. This would further intertwine the embedded stories of our designs with many others. We’re always looking to grow with sibling voices, and support thought-provoking designs.

If you like our mission, do get in touch: we are curious to know about you!

And do support our work for 2023 with a donation 🙂