This project explores historical and political implications of the borders drawn in the Middle East following the First World War. The focus is on how the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire led to the creation of nation-states such as Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon through arbitrary lines inscribed on maps. The aim was to illustrate how these borders do not adequately represent the region’s diverse ethnic, religious, and linguistic identities.

By employing innovative interactive media techniques, the project fosters understanding and encourages critical dialogue around this complex issue through a wooden board game that illustrates the intricacies of geopolitical borders. By engaging participants in the exploration of these artificial boundaries, the project seeks to reveal the rich, often overlooked narratives that reside within and beyond them. The project responds deeply to the theme of the unknown, as the arbitrary borders signify not only geographical constraints but also historical ‘blank spaces’ that embody complex narratives often left unrecognised.

This interactive board game crafted from wood and thread, symbolises chaotic and volatile nature of border creation. Players manipulate movable lines on the board to illustrate the fluidity and ambiguity surrounding borders while uncovering the diverse stories and histories associated with different regions. Through this engagement, I hope to elicit contemplation about identity, belonging, and the potential for re-imagining space. By adopting an interdisciplinary approach, this project creates a thought-provoking commentary on how arbitrary borders in the Middle East have influenced narratives and shaped identities across various communities.