Arts Lab 7.0: Marah Isnaf | Month II

It’s hard to believe that two months have already passed in this project — time is moving fast, and I almost wish it would slow down. After completing the first exhibition for the Alternative Museum of Folklore, over the past two months, I’ve been part of a creative residency with the Folklore Museum, exploring the connections between Romanian mythology, embodiment, and participatory art. My focus was on the legend of the Iele — looking at how their story relates to movement, identity, and boundaries. During this time, I developed a live performance and an interactive installation, and also led workshops with youth to create models of how they imagine a “living museum.” I also collaborated with my fellow artist Salma, which became a beautiful part of the journey. Working together brought new energy and inspiration to the performance — we exchanged ideas, moved together, and found a natural rhythm that made the piece come alive. The collaboration helped us grow closer, both creatively and personally.  In addition, I contributed to Folcloristica, co-writing articles with Aya that reflected on our artistic process and community experiences. We did a photoshoot with costumes and masks for the project catalogue, capturing the spirit and symbols of Romanian folklore in a visual and embodied way. We also we to Costanta on our 4 days’ vacation it was amazing!                              

One of the most memorable moments was our visit to the Jewish Cemetery, where we reflected on memory, silence, and cultural traces — connecting the themes of the residency to a broader sense of heritage and remembrance. I started to feel more tired and noticed the stress building — both from the long days and late nights. While some moments brought us closer as a group, for others, we discovered different paths and perspectives. It felt like the first month was the peak, full of energy and excitement, and now the reality of the work and its demands began to settle in. At the same time, this process has been one of acceptance and letting go. I’m learning to find my own space within the residency, to balance following plans with creating what feels meaningful to me. It’s been a time of reflection, experimentation, and claiming my creative voice — discovering not just what I’m supposed to do, but what I truly want to bring into the work. Taught me that the creative process is as much about noticing limits as it is about exploring possibilities. I became more aware of my own energy, noticing fatigue, stress, and the late nights — yet these moments also revealed what truly matters in my work. I saw how group dynamics shift over time: some connections grew stronger, while others naturally diverged, which was both challenging and enlightening. The youth continued to surprise me with their creativity, curiosity, and willingness to experiment, showing how participatory work can spark unexpected insights and joy. For myself, this month was about finding space within the process — letting go of rigid plans, embracing improvisation, and tuning into what I want to create. It reminded me that the work isn’t just about completing tasks or following schedules, but about listening to the process, honoring my own rhythm, and discovering where meaningful creation emerges.                                                    

Looking ahead, I want to continue balancing structure with improvisation, planning with intuition, and personal vision with collaborative work. I aim to create more space for my own voice while engaging deeply with participants, collaborators, and the stories we explore together. During the folklore performance, I felt that my work wasn’t fully understood or appreciated by all the audience. This highlighted for me the importance of staying true to what I want to create, while also learning to find balance — honoring my artistic vision even if it differs from what people are used to. I want to cultivate confidence and pride in my work, regardless of external validation, and trust that its impact can be felt in subtle, meaningful ways. I also plan to experiment further with movement, sensory elements, and interactive experiences, creating moments where audiences and participants can connect with each other. The next step in this journey will be the residency at JEMOM, where I hope to expand these explorations, continue co-creating with youth and communities, and develop immersive experiences.

This monthly report was written by Marah Isnaf, our Palestinian volunteer taking part in a seven-month Arts Lab 7.0 mobility, co-funded by the European Union under the European Solidarity Corps.