Detail view latches

This handle belongs to the Said Al Mishal Cultural Center in Gaza City, Palestine. It consists of only one part, as there is no longer a place to attach a swapped counterpart. In the winter of 2018, it was dug from the rubble of the center by Ashtar Theater director Ali Abu Yaseen for this project.

The cultural center was established in 2004 and housed a theater stage, a library, offices for cultural associations, and the headquarters of the al-Anqaa (Phoenix) dance group on its 5 floors. It provided spaces for performances, exhibitions and trainings for cultural organizations and individual artists*, musicians* and painters* from all over the Gaza Strip.  The Ashtar Theater, a long-time partner organization of the RLS, was also located here and developed from there, among other things, their 'Gaza Monologues', which are performed worldwide.

The Al-Mishal Center was one of the few remaining large free spaces in the Gaza Strip where ideas could be developed, new worlds designed and presented to an audience. It was an important symbol of Palestinian cultural identity and freedom of expression. It was a special place, not only for the approximately 1,500 employees and volunteers who used the space, but also for the many spectators and listeners who were able to attend theater and concerts here and, for moments, escape from their daily lives marked by war, siege, and oppression into another reality.

In August 2018, this space was destroyed by Israeli air strikes.....

The entire building, stage, costumes, musical instruments and technical equipment were lost. But not the spirit that animated the center. In the days following the attack, the rubble was turned into a new stage: the Gaza Circus School performed its tricks, painters exhibited their paintings, and musicians brought their instruments from home and gave concerts. Someday these people will erect a new building. And maybe the handle will find its place there.