Where Is Home — An Art Exhibition Challenging Refugee Stereotypes
- vivabranding
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 15
Yes and how many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky
Yes and how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry
Yes and how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died
The answer, my friend, is Blowin’ in the wind
The answer is Blowin’ in the wind
— Bob Dylan, “Blowin’ in the Wind”
VIVA · Common Future
Jointly Presented Online Exhibition
Refugee stories do not have to begin with images of boats, borders, and crisis. Behind every refugee story is an individual life shaped by memories, dreams, and resilience.Their painful pasts are often left unspoken—lost homes, loved ones left behind, the costs and calculations made for survival, and the constant anxiety that never fades.
Media narratives about refugees are often limited to stories of suffering and hardship, leaving little space for their identities, achievements, and hopes for the future，however, not all refugee stories are like this.For 28-year-old Syrian refugee Shahm Maskoun, such portrayals not only erase refugees’ past achievements but also overlook their hopes and ambitions for the future.
These narratives make him feel guilty—guilty that he cannot tell the world what he has overcome and what he has achieved.
“Right now, media and politicians only focus on negative stories about refugees.Refugees themselves are not the crisis; the stereotypes surrounding refugees are the real crisis.” Maskoun said.
What is life?
When this question is answered by refugees who have experienced chaos, fear, and displacement, their answers reveal deeply personal life stories through refugee art and storytelling.
“I ran to save my little fish and birds because they are my friends, and I don’t want them to die.”
The girl featured in the video is Nariman Akkad.After airstrikes struck Beirut, her family lost their home.When the bombing stopped, she immediately returned to their shattered home to rescue her fish and birds.
This may be one possible answer.
This winter, VIVA and Common Future will invite refugees in Lebanon to create artworks for an online exhibition, using art as a medium to challenge refugee stereotypes and share personal life stories with the world.The exhibition is both an expression of the authentic voices of refugee communities in Lebanon and a space where individuals from different backgrounds can listen to and share stories with one another.Through each artwork, “we” and “they” move closer to mutual understanding while jointly exploring the core question: “What is life?”
A selection of artworks from the exhibition
A selection of stills from the exhibition
VIVA · Common Future
Viva la Vida (VIVA) is a global cross-cultural art organization reaching audiences in more than 50 countries, inspiring young people to reflect on life and self-awareness, using art as a medium to better perceive life and build meaningful emotional connections with others. As a globally influential cross-cultural IP, VIVA is recognized by organizations including the United Nations, APEC, and G20 YEA, with partners such as Facebook, Toutiao, Alibaba, China Unicom, and Vanke.
Common Future is the first international initiative in China dedicated to supporting refugees and other victims of armed conflict to obtain public fundraising status, including children, youth, women, and other vulnerable groups. In July 2019, Common Future established a field office in Beirut, Lebanon, working closely with local partners to advance long-term support programs for refugee children and youth. Since 2020, Common Future has been a member of the United Nations Youth, Peace and Security Alliance.
Comments