2.1.2.1 (What’s this number?)
Although I categorised this post under My Triumphs, the credit should go to my dear friend, David Habchy who recommended ////o/ (www.111101.net) to me.
I believe many researchers who are pursuing their research abroad on the context of Lebanon, would probably agree that it is challenging to find references on Lebanon in universities abroad, and particularly in the West. In my case, I found a handful of sources on Lebanon at the University of the Arts London, only one of which was relevant to my research area. So for the past year, I ordered numerous books and DVDs from Amazon and relied on the favours of family and friends to supply me with the rest upon their visit to London.
So why is ////o/ a Triumph?
////o/ is a compilaton of artworks, writings and references on Lebanon, founded and developed by Naji Zahar since 11 November 2001 – thus the name 111101. Being an online resource, it is inherently accessible to everyone with an internet connection irrespective of location, and this is very useful for both the Lebanese diaspora and foreigners. The resource brings together the works of numerous artists such as Nada Sehnaoui, Nadim Karam and Ahsraf Osman, and writers like Fawwaz Traboulsi, Mai Ghoussoub and Leila Mroueh.
Writings section
The website is structured into 4 sections: ‘Artworks’, ‘Writings’, ‘Projects’ and ‘References’. These are divided into subsections some of which are insightful and enriching (Theses, Book Excerpts, Articles, Photography…) while others are unique and intriguing (Poems, Letters, Installations, Performances…).
Site map
A 5th section, ‘Facts’, is Naji Zahar’s personal contribution in developing databases, timelines and mappings to document, one; the events of the Lebanese Civil War, and two; worldwide conflicts from the year 0 A.D to present. Both are very remarkable achievements. The website also contains a number of unusual interactive animations to keep the visitors stimulated!
World conflicts timeline
The content of ////o/ that will be most valuable for my PhD research is Fawaz Traboulsi’s PhD thesis: Identités et solidarités croisées dans les conflits du Liban contemporain, Carole Dagher’s article: Le Liban à la Croisée du Repli et de l’Ouverture Inter-Communautaire, Jayce Salloum’s installation: Untitled, and many more. I will be posting detailed reviews of these works and their relationship to my PhD in the future.
To conclude, ////o/ is a distinct and unsurpassed platform for disseminating new contributions to knowledge, in both theory and practice, about the Lebanese context.
