Users Step into a Digital World, Experiencing a Free Gaza in Virtual Reality Exhibition
In the heart of the Middle East, the city of Gaza continues to bear the scars of conflict and displacement. More than 60,000 Palestinian people have been killed, 90% of Gaza's population displaced, and nearly 70% of its buildings destroyed. Amidst this devastation, a team of dedicated individuals is working tirelessly to preserve the memory of Gaza and imagine a future of rebuilding.
This project, named 'Phoenix of Gaza XR', was inspired by the resilience of the people in Gaza who rebuild their homes after wars and the Israeli blockade. The name signifies the city's ability to rise from the ashes, just like the mythical phoenix.
Dr. Jonathan Wyrtzen, a sociologist and historian at Yale University, recognises the project as the only extant record and archive of many things in Gaza. Naim Aburaddi, a cofounder of 'Phoenix of Gaza XR' and a Ph.D. candidate in media studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, was born and raised in Gaza. Aburaddi believes that the project provides agency to the Palestinian people and aims to defy the colonial impositions on Gaza.
The project has taken on a second role as an archive of cultural memory. It captures 360-degree photos and videos from Gaza to portray the city holistically through virtual reality. Ahmad Hasaballah, a war photographer in Gaza, was hired by the team to walk around public spaces with a 360-degree camera.
The team is also working with a group of therapists to use their footage to help Gaza's children relive happy memories as a means to help them heal from the trauma of genocide. Aburaddi stated that Israel may destroy locations, kill people, and destroy the city of Gaza, but they will never attack the memory of the people of Gaza, which is now preserved in the project.
The exhibit 'Phoenix of Gaza XR' allows visitors to experience Gaza through virtual reality. It was part of a symposium at MIT about how urban planning and design can address violent settler colonialism in Palestine. The symposium discussed how architecture has been a violent act of genocide and ideated ways to prioritize the liberation and agency of Palestinians.
The team behind 'Phoenix of Gaza XR' is working with architects, urban planners, and experts in virtual reconstruction to imagine ways to rebuild Gaza. Their vision for the future of the project is to help Palestinians rebuild Gaza the way they see fit, making it a haven for Palestinians.
The project started in 2022 and has continued since the genocide began in October 2023. Despite the team's personal losses and sacrifices, including the loss of family members and the destruction of homes, they remain committed to preserving the memory of Gaza and imagining a brighter future for its people.
The exhibit 'Phoenix of Gaza XR' was visited by Ezrena Marwan, who works for Whose Knowledge?, a global campaign that aims to center the knowledge of marginalized communities on the internet. The project is a testament to the power of technology and community to preserve and celebrate culture amidst adversity.
