02_KEFFIYEH 002 — Salim al-Kadi

K29 Keffiyeh 002

2017

Para-aramid synthetic fiber (K29 Kevlar®); with cotton-thread

embroidery in cross-stitch.

1200mm x1200mm

This project explores the potential of Kevlar® as a powerful

material used to resist bullets and similar flying projectiles.

Having been smuggled into Lebanon from the US, the

length of Kevlar® was then delivered into the home of a

woman in the Ain al-Hilweh Refugee Camp in Saida, who

was instructed to embroider this traditional pattern upon the

textile, a cross-stitch chosen to preserve the structural

integrity of the Kevlar fibers. Wrapping it around one’s head,

the Keffiyeh’s performance is increased through the layering

of material and the multi-directionality of the weave. It does

so while maintaining an omnipresent symbolism upon the

battlefield and/or in public space. In images, those who wear

the Keffiyeh appear as fantastic superheroes we all aspire

to be.

2017 Modern Museum of Modern Art (MoMA New York):

“Items: Is Fashion Modern?” Curated by Paola Antonelli

and Michelle Millar Fisher

2017 “Well Dressed Artefacts”

Roberta Smith, New York Times (October 6)

2017 “K-052: Kiffiyeh”

Jennifer Tobias, Items: Is Fashion Modern?

edited by Paola Antonelli and Michelle Millar Fisher

(New York: MoMA)

2016 “A Lebanese architect just created your next

war-zone essential”

The Canary, S. Akram

2016 “Beirut Architect Designs Bullet-Resistant Kevlar

Keffiyeh Headscarf.”

Emma Tucker, Dezeen Magazine

2016 “Dystopian Textile: Beirut Architect Builds

Bulletproof Headscarf.”

K. Kohlstedt, Web Urbanist

2016 “Dodging Stray Bullets in Lebanon With The

World’s First Bulletproof Headscarf.”

N. Sayej, Motherboard VICE