Firas Shehadeh
(Palestine, 1988)
A Palestinian born in Jordan, Firas Shehadeh explores aesthetic and expressive forms shaped by the younger generations of his region after the rise of the internet, such as video game aesthetics and memes. Shehadeh also extends his artistic practice into music production. His work critically reflects on the development of postcolonial technology and history through his world-building creations.
Commissioned for the 14th Mercosul Biennial, Like An Event Dream Dreamt By Another – Insomnia is part of a series of the same name. In this piece, the artist appropriates the interface of the popular video game Grand Theft Auto V to further his research. Shehadeh acknowledges how video games structure relationships while simultaneously offering the possibility of envisioning alternative realities. While these games are produced by hegemonic nations, when appropriated by marginalized or precarious societies, they become a concrete space for emancipation, subverting traditional power structures.
Taís Cardoso
Bio
Firas Shehadeh (Palestine, 1988) is an artist and researcher. His work involves world constructions, aesthetics, and identities after/on the Internet. He is interested in postcolonial effects, technologies, and history. He holds a Master's in Fine Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna.
