Waynoun? Where Are They? Beirut
Waynoun? translates as
Where are they? and is the name of the installation
commissioned by The Committee of Families of the Kidnapped and
Disappeared in Lebanon to commemorate 31 years after the start of
the Lebanese war (1975-2006). The Committee asked Nada Sehnaoui to
produce a work under the chosen theme of “To be remembered in order
not to be repeated.” More than 3000 individuals are still missing in
Lebanon, some since 1975. “Waynoun?” or “Where are they?” seemed the most pressing question to Nada Sehnaoui. Since the
war ended, successive Lebanese governments have completely ignored
the plight of those kidnapped and disappeared. The general amnesty
law that was voted in 1991, pardoned war crimes without any material
or moral compensation for victims and their families. This was a
platform for the state of collective amnesia.
Waynoun?
3000 names, 400 photographs, 400 large black and white balloons,
acetate sheets, and plastic wrapping. Dome City Center, downtown
Beirut, 2006