The To Be An (Arab) experience was a multi-media project led by Yassin Alsalman. Centered around an audio art project by the same name, featuring 17 artists across disciplines - the album was toured in major cities and played alongside an hour long video installation, followed by a conversation with NARCY. The double album was split into 4 sections, and disrupted by performances by local artists of diverse backgrounds.

In an attempt to decentralize NARCY from the project, the non-performative element of his involvement was meant to instill an active listening experience and a jarring emotional pull by various voices from the community.

The initial launch took place in Montréal, where the album was made in an art show at Phi Center. Throughout the process of making the album, NARCY sent the project to several visual artists and asked them to respond to the works through their own expressive force. The artwork featured was by Bistiek, Michael Rakowitz, Cheb Moha, Tamara Abdul Hadi, Abdulisms, Hala Alsalman, Sundus Abdul Hadi and NARCY himself, with the “Sword Of Return” being the central piece.

Why not create our own spaces? At a time of great censorship, why can’t we just (be)?

The tour and concept are still ongoing.