Performance: The Pink Bride 2003-ongoing
     
     

2003

    
First performance. Accompanying elements: purple Pumas (mine) + pink mini Luis Vuitton limited edition purse (certainly borrowed). SuperSista Lana beat me to the finish line ;)    
 

In 2003, I turned 27 (ssshhh... don't tell anyone.) As a 27 year old YOUNG woman living in Beirut, I was beginning to receive marriage offers. Yes, these things still happen. Young men passed by our home, with their mothers, to "check out the goods" so to speak. At first I was very upset with all of this. But then I thought to myself, why not play along and see where it takes me.


The subject of marriage became the center of my art making process at this point. With installations, I was creating settings that critiqued marriage processes and rituals that took place in Beirut.

But, it was really through this performance entitled, "Wahad Areese, Please!" that I took to exploring the subject on a larger and more interactive scale.

In 2003, Beirut hosted the first ever International Marathon. It would be the first time that thousands of Lebanese citizens would come together to participate in an event that was not political nor related to war. Men. There were lots of men. From all ages to sizes to shapes to religious backgrounds. I bought a wedding dress, painted it pink, and ran through the mob looking for a husband.

Well, I didn't run much. It was more like fast walking. During the performance, I spoke with many people asking them questions about their ideas of marriage. What was appropriate for a woman? What their expectations were? If they thought it was ok if a woman looked for a man, rather than the other way around. I was to continue to do this for the next several years or so.
     
     

2004

    
Wahad Areese Please, Still Looking ! About to cross the finish line. Downtown Beirut.   Second round of performance. Accompanying elements: pink bouquet purchased at local 1$ store. Still wearing purple Pumas.
 
     
     

2005

    
New additions: small white roses sewn into dress + short hair pink wig. Picture taken with Beirut's finest. Location: just outside the American University of Beirut's "Medical Gates."    
   
     
     
Expanding territories. The Marathon goes to Tripoli. Taking a moment to pose for a picture at God's Roundabout (Sahet Allah). This moment was to become a large source of inspiration for future sculptures.   With a beautiful young boy. At this point, I began to cut up my bouquet and distribute my flowers. Very postivie reactions in Tripoli. Parents considered it good luck for their children to receive a flower, pose with me and touch my dress. My interests in finding a husband began to dwindle at this point, as I now found my dress to be an excellent ambassador of love and peace.
 
     
     

2006

    
No participation in the Beirut International Marathon. Was in a period of mourning after the 2006 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the passing away of my best friend, Maya.    
     
     

2007

    
Back on track. No longer running to critique, but rather to spread love, as a reaction to the 2006 attacks on Lebanon. I collaborated with good friend and fellow artist, Ginou Choueiri, on her project "ArtPeace." This was our first intervention; Ginou designed the beautiful logo: I (Peace) Lebanon. And I ran to spread the message.   New costume addition: White sash with peace logos + gold hearts sewn into dress. We passed out Ginou's stickers to marathon participants.
 
     
     

2008

    
Loving Lebanon more than ever. Loving the ironies and the complex nature of where I live. Here flowers are strategically positioned to cover gun. Make love not war!   Loving the people who make up the fabric of my everyday life. Running for love now. And forever.
 
     
Loving my beautiful family and friends.   New additions: long hair pink wig + more extravagant pink bouquet (left overs from brother's wedding decorations the past summer).
 
     
Running for love. Running for cancer awareness. Running for the memory of Maya.Running for love. Running for peace. Now and forever
(Maya running in 2005 Beirut International Marathon).