To Be or Not To Be-That is the Question of the Refugee* or (How Do We Deal With Now, When Then Isn't Over Yet ) began in 2008 with a series of interviews that developed into an independently looping sound and video installation in Oregon-a state that began accepting displaced Iraqis at very high rates after the U.S. invasion in 2003.  Originally the installation was composed of two rooms: a comfortable meeting space/reading room that invited people to talk about and reflect on the war, meet the interviewees and experience a taste of SWANA hospitality. This was linked to a dark projection room with a floor projection and surround sound. The work is an expression of curiosity about the lives of the Iraqis who have come to the United States during the long war waged on their country.  Through their voices we experience longing, loss, hope, courage and distance, assimilation and alienation. 2009
*The first part of the title was contributed by a participant in the project: Dr. Butti.  
video 8 min 28 sec
sound 12 min 51 sec