Who Were Given Knowledge, By Degrees
Wooden installation
75 x 370 cm
Athr gallery, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
2013
CALIGRAFFITTI, LEILA HELLER GALLERY, NEW YORK, NY
2013
God Will Raise Those Who Have Believed And Those Who Were Given Knowledge By Degrees Concept Nasser Al Salem quotes a verse from the Qura’an and clearly explains the sentence by merely using the structure of his installation. If knowledge is power, then the production of knowledge is a command just as influential. It is this notion, the production of knowledge and understanding, which is to be deconstructed and explored. Education is one of the greatest gifts to be granted and literacy one of the most potent skills achievable. In a world where one's circumstances are ever irresolute, the ability to read and write not only becomes a valuable transferable skill but also a tool to emancipate and empower.