ICD Brookfield Place Arts has unveiled its latest exhibition, Water Like Tears, Flour Like Soil, in collaboration with Dar Yusuf Nasri Jacir for Art and Research—an artist-run space in Bethlehem that began as an ancestral family home. The exhibition, which opened on Nov. 13, brings together artists from the Middle East to explore a range of themes— from creation and transformation to resilience and resistance. Curated by New York-based curator Camila Palomino in dialogue with Emily Jacir, founder of Dar Jacir, the show invites viewers to witness the powerful connection between food and memory, using it as a vehicle for collective storytelling, mourning, and hope.
At its core, Water Like Tears, Flour Like Soil explores the ancient ritual of bread-making, a tradition deeply embedded in Palestinian culture that becomes especially poignant in times of grief. The exhibition title itself draws from this ritual: the practice of kneading, baking, and sharing bread in times of loss. Adapted from a performance by Palestinian conceptual artist Shayma Hamad, water represents tears, and flour signifies soil—two simple ingredients that, when combined, embody both life and death. Through the act of kneading, people channel their grief into bread-making, a healing ritual that binds individuals in shared sorrow and remembrance. Bread, a universal sustainer, takes on deeper meaning as it becomes a vessel for memory, honoring those who have passed while sustaining those who live on.
Food, in this context, is far more than a means of survival—it’s an expression of resilience, a link between the living and the dead, and a tribute to those lost. Through bread, an unassuming staple, Water Like Tears, Flour Like Soil speaks to the universal language of memory. Bread as art captures the paradox of life and death, of sustenance and grief, transforming a basic act into a profound gesture of remembrance. Each loaf, shaped by hands carrying stories of hardship and survival, becomes a tangible link to heritage. The exhibition amplifies this, emphasizing that food is not simply consumed but remembered, cherished, and passed on.
Dar Jacir itself is a story of transformation. Once a family home, it has become a space where artists, researchers, and locals come together to create and remember. Founded by Emily Jacir, Dar Jacir has grown into a cultural hub, connecting Bethlehem’s local heritage with the global art scene. In a place where identity is often challenged, Dar Jacir stands is a symbol of pride and resilience.
“We are so honored to partner and collaborate closely with Dar Jacir and their incredible team. Their commitment to preserving and promoting Palestinian heritage deeply resonates with this exhibition. After witnessing the impactful work they do both in Palestine and globally, we were compelled to reach out and work alongside them to curate and produce this show at ICD Brookfield Place. Working alongside Emily and Camila has been a true pleasure, and I believe this exhibition will be our most powerful yet,” said Malak Abu Qaoud, Director of ICD Brookfield Place Arts Program, in a released statement.
Through the ICD Brookfield Place Arts Program, Water Like Tears, Flour Like Soil invites viewers to experience resistance and storytelling in a way that feels deeply personal. Each piece speaks to the spirit of memory, not as something to be forgotten but as something we carry with us. This show calls us not only to remember but to recognize that by holding onto these stories, we keep them, and ourselves, unbreakable.
