How did this grant contribute to the realization of your project in regard to artistic exchange, local cultural development and/or the promotion of cultural diversity?

The grant allowed me to be exposed to a great number of art initiatives and art organizations that allow immigrant and refugees express themselves, process their life stories and experiences and recreate their lives. The most exciting are initiatives of immigrants themselves. The trip allowed me to meet people from the art scene and expose my work, exchanges ideas and get inspired to do similar projects in my home country.

How does exchange, networking and international contacts contribute to the development of your artistic and cultural project?

Cultural exchange is a basis on which my art work is thrived on. I collaborate with a Palestinian and German artists in an ongoing basis. I exhibited with my Berlin collaborator - Bärbel Rothhaar, in Montreal as well as in Nazareth. I teach together with my Palestinian collaborator - Manar Zoabi for 5 years in a bilingual (Arabic and Hebrew ) art class in Haifa University. The visit in Berlin allowed me develop my network and broaden my perception about the role or art in multicultural society.

Can you elaborate on the learning and knowledge you have gained and shared throughout this experience?

The visit in Berlin made me rethink my proposed art project. The main concept of "Reconstructing Life Structure" is valid and interesting. Yet, it cannot be done using still photography (my art field) only. Such a project has to accompany text that will be derived from interviews with immigrants in order to fully understand and convey the complexity of remaking life and the role of creativity in it. In addition, I was very inspired by the many projects that I was exposed to. I documented some of them and it will help me while establishing similar projects in my country.

Please indicate a link to your current work (website/facebook page)

https://osnatbaror1.wordpress.com/