The Patterns of Life exhibition at the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City is a powerful tribute to homes destroyed in Palestine, Iraq, and Syria. Through a combination of journalism, oral history, art, and architecture, the exhibition showcases the former residences of three families demolished by military operations in the past decade. One such home belonged to Basim Razzo in Mosul, Iraq, which was mistakenly bombed by the American-led coalition in 2015, resulting in the loss of several family members.
Data journalist Mona Chalabi and the team at SITU Research collaborated to create architectural models of these homes, complete with miniature replicas of household objects that held sentimental value to the families. By incorporating interviews with survivors, images, videos, and satellite imagery, the exhibition aims to humanize the impact of these destructive events beyond the typical narrative of tragedy and loss.
For Razzo, seeing his former home recreated in such detail was a poignant experience. The attention to detail in capturing the essence of each household, from the furniture to the décor, brought back memories that he thought were lost forever. Similarly, Mohammed Osman, whose home in Manbij, Syria, was also destroyed, was moved by the inclusion of personal artifacts that held special meaning to his family.
Chalabi’s illustrations on silk fabric added a delicate touch to the exhibition, portraying the fragility of memories that linger in the survivors’ minds. The inclusion of scented oils to evoke the smells of the homes further enhanced the immersive experience for visitors.
Apart from the physical recreations, Chalabi’s sketches of Gaza, Mosul, and Manbij, along with statistical information, provide a broader context for the destruction these communities have faced. The exhibition serves as a reminder of the human lives affected by war and the importance of preserving the memories associated with the homes that once stood.
Overall, the Patterns of Life exhibition is a testament to the resilience of individuals who have endured unimaginable loss and a call to action to remember the people behind the statistics. Through art, architecture, and storytelling, the exhibition honors the memories of those whose homes were destroyed and amplifies their voices in a poignant and impactful manner.
