Outing to 'Encounters' by Belén L.Yáñez

While at the exhibition Dima Karout Art Space curated for Refugee Week, we encountered Belén L.Yáñez brilliant work “Encounters.”

How do you approach others physically and how do we connect with each other? We use our hands to greet other people automatically, but what happens when take a moment to focus on what happens in that exchange? What do the slightest non-verbal movements and responses say about you and indicate to others? How do we decide to simply be together? Participating in this work was one of the most meaningful outings we had, and left us all feeling more connected and aware of one another's essential selves. It also brought up vital questions. All hands you see here are those of our team and our young people.

Reactions from the young people who participated:
“I think it’s really very beautiful to participate and in a way you’re taking all your soul down to your hands and letting them talk. And I’m really impressed how you composed the music with the hands, it’s like you’re reading our minds when you’re doing the music.”

“I felt very free. A moment of freedom. Because you forget about everything else and you focus only on what’s happening in this space. I really enjoy it. I also think it’s a moment where even the insects or other element in nature are free and no one is persecuting them, to kill them or to bother them. they’re also free to be in this space and do what you want to do”

See our Encounters at: https://youtu.be/6vYGeYL4Lcw
Read more about the work at: https://www.belenlyanez.com/encounters