Lebanon Lebanon

"A project of international goodwill and understanding between the country of Lebanon and the city of Lebanon"
became the starting point for this travel based project.  

Beginning as a formal exploration into the systems of naming in the Midwest region of the United States, I headed
towards Lebanon, Illinois.   Although initially interested in the systems of naming and fidelity to those namesakes,
my exploration of Lebanon, Illinois began to ask questions greater than what do the inhabitants of Lebanon, Illinois
think of themselves? Do they consider themselves to be Lebanese?  

An exploration into place, failure, distance and surface, Lebanon Lebanon is a travel based work focusing on the
interwoven histories of Lebanon, Illinois, a Midwestern American town of 3,600 people and the Middle eastern
country of Lebanon.

Taking the form of a web based travelogue and video, Lebanon Lebanon is both diaristic and universal in its
discussion of people in their respective homes. Through different modes of understanding, ranging from wikipedia
explanations of each location to personal emails between lovers, the website and video examine the failure of
translation. The history of a relationship through language barriers, a place who does not know its namesake,
as well as a tree are explored with the starting point being the systems of naming that pervade the Midwest.  

Visit the project website for Lebanon Lebanon

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