A letter from Ahmed Amer
From the moment we are born, we are told that everything is ephemeral. Nothing lasts forever. Yet we keep pushing for our own personal narratives, writing our own stories, hoping they would still be remembered long after we’re gone. Death; the only inevitable thing in life. But there is no death without birth. And after death, if you’re lucky, comes rebirth.Am I too naive to always dream big? Did I let it get to me at some point? Have I fought too much? Or was it not enough? Why am I disappointed in myself? Or should I take my anger out on the world for letting me down?
Why do I feel that my world is crumbling around me?From smooth sailing in heavenly streams to overwhelming walks on rocky roads, my path has gone from fine lines to overblown shapes, yet somehow I am still pushing through. Is this hope? Or am I just floating aimlessly in space, stuck in a loop? Bardo, a transitory state between death and rebirth. Is this where I am now? Was every space I created for myself all these years a transitory state? Is this why I keep moving forward? And if I choose to be reborn, is there still hope? What is it like behind that door? If I choose to be reborn, do I get to live it all again, or can I choose my own path?
For the first time ever, I am launching a personal collection abroad, and not in Beirut. Beirut is no longer here. Beirut is everywhere. Pieces of my heart are being scattered everywhere, my very own personal diaspora. There are no borders anymore, only love.Part of this collection is a tribute to Bardo, a cultural and safe space to many.Even after Bardo’s stopover, its spirit will stay and we’ll always remember love.
Photography: Bacharkhattar
B.beirut
Makeup: michelle Sleiman
Set design: Walid Saliba
Models: Jean Makhlouta
