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jenna hamed

@j7md

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@jayseveninc — installations, publications, etc.

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Jay Seven Inc. is a collaboration studio with active projects between NYC and Jerusalem, rooted in research-based initiatives that take the form of publications, programming and exhibitions. It is run by me, Jenna Hamed, Queens-based artist and art worker. I came into practicing art in NYC through my commitments to community organizing in Southeast Michigan, where I grew up and became aware of the many injustices of our society. Through those experiences I witnessed the power of the beat of a drum; the influence of a camera lens; the widespread reach of the printed word.Since moving to NYC 9 years ago, I have worked at a number of institutions; big and small, across several capacities: As an artist. A professor. A nonprofit employee. A business. A funder. I’ve seen many sides of what this work entails, developing a lens and framework that is Jay Seven, through which I navigate. Organizing never left me; it only adapted and shifted to the landscape of the city, where I honed in on a medium that I felt I could continue these commitments and make the biggest impact with. While my artist projects have been housed under Jay Seven, that doesn’t mean I am the sole creator. In fact, Jay Seven can be thought of a collaborative and conceptual space between multiple minds, across various hands, working, building along the slow and steady pace of time. It exists in a vast ecosystem of brilliant artists and craftspeople across varying disciplines, to a single goal of producing a beautiful, meaningful output to share with the world. Producing to support one another, rigor in craft and research, deep connection to process, working within constraints; these are just some of the values that Jay Seven as a studio is rooted in. It is a lifetime project that is bound to evolve and fluctuate as long as I am alive. [Continued in comments] by @j7md

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My great grandfather in front of his house in Beit Hanina, Jerusalem, Palestine by @j7md

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7 years ago

My great grandmother. by @j7md

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7 years ago

We reproduce. by @j7md

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78 years. Edition of 7 with 1 AP. $77 for sale at the Watani 77 fundraiser TONIGHT at @friendsandloversbk featuring @excentrik and @themusicofomar; with all proceeds supporting @prostheticsforpalestine •••For Watani 77’s album art direction, @kazaleh_woodworking / @excentrik designed and carved (by hand) a woodblock that depicts the number 7 in Indian numerals, or ٧٧, which I used to block print as the cover’s motif. I used that same block to print ٧٨ which uses the same shape, but the figures for 7 and 8 are flipped vertically from one another. In the spirit of the album, the process of making these prints was improvisational and commemorative as we surpassed the 78th year of the Nakba, and as the struggle against Israeli occupation continues. It’s been much of the same story: sheer bravery in the face of catastrophe, land grab, erasure unfolding daily. by @j7md

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TUESDAY, JULY 14 @ 8pm: Live performance + fundraiser with @excentrik and @themusicofomar at @friendsandloversbk 641 Classon Ave, BrooklynGrab a friend, grab a drink, and join us for an evening vibing out to live music and mixing by a lineup of artists performing to fundraise for @prostheticsforpalestineTarik “Excentrik” Kazaleh, who is visiting from the Bay Area, will be performing alongside Omar Ahmad to commemorate the album Watani 77; the 77-minute genre-bending piece improvised and recorded over a 77 hour period. Vinyl, CDs and Casette albums, along with limited edition prints will be for sale on site.The event is FREE to attend with RSVP (link in bio), help us reach our fundraising goal by attending, buying merch and donating. All sales will be going to the organization, a project of Physicians for Palestine, 501(C)(3) to support the robust Prosthetics program operating on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza. by @j7md

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16 days ago

NEW YORK CITY!!! It’s 7/7 today, and only appropriate to announce that I’ll be performing in NYC next week over the course of 77 hours to fundraise for @prostheticsforpalestine, and to stream, perform and improvise with my latest album, Watani 77.SUNDAY I’ll be at @brooklynartbookfair for album signings and then later at @thelotradio, where I’ll stream the album and play other older and unreleased tracks.TUESDAY I’ll be performing live alongside @themusicofomarahmad at @friendsandloversbkMore event info will be shared in the next few days!The 77-minute genre-bending piece was improvised and recorded over a 77 hour period, featuring Excentrik’s daughter, Asmahan Noor Elmasu-Kazaleh on percussion and Michael Reed on drums. The album was made on the occasion of the New York iteration of the OF TIME exhibition, held by @atnsc and @jayseven to mark the 77 years of Palestinian resistance. The tatreez was embroidered by @sabri, album design by @j7md, and album notes by @m_carmenlane.At each event, we will have plenty of ways to support- we’ll be selling the remaining few vinyl albums, CDs, and limited edition prints and merch, with all proceeds going to support the robust Prosthetics program operating on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza. $2000 buys one prosthesis. This year the org plans on fitting dozens of patients in Gaza and is working with partner orgs in the West Bank to build a fully functional Prosthetics clinic. About: Tarik “Excentrik” Kazaleh is the co-founder of the organization, with deep ancestral roots in Ramallah, Palestine. He’s an instrumentalist, woodworker, lyricist, who has been writing, performing, producing between metro-Detroit and the Bay area for over 20 years. by @j7md

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18 days ago

As our 7-city journey comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the generative string of conversations that took place across our three East Coast stops: Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia.From mapping the jinn and the Old City of Jerusalem with @its.sab.reen at @lostcitybooks, to exploring folklore and superstition with @leena.jpeg at @redemmas, to a thoughtful conversation with Mai Eltahir at @ulisesbooks on the worlds and realms beyond the visible. Each conversation was further enriched by the stories, memories, and reflections shared by those who joined us.Thank you to everyone who helped make this tour both possible and meaningful: to our hosts, collaborators, friends, supporters… And thank you to all who purchased the book so far. We leave carrying an encouraging reminder of the many paths these stories will travel through, and the glimpse of the impact on generations of storytellers to come. Thank you all for witnessing this ambitious, yet rewarding journey with us. Before Ahmad returns to Jerusalem, join us one last time in New York on Thursday, June 25, from 3–6 PM, at the @efa.rbpmw. Come say hello, say goodbye, and hear what new stories have emerged along the way. by @j7md

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THIS THURSDAY in NYC: Lets connect before I conclude my US tour and head back to Jerusalem!!Super excited be taking part in a mini residency at the Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop this thursday @efa.rbpmw @efa_nyc, screenprinting alongside and @wherehasjohngone with drop-in hours on Thursday from 3-6pm. Had a great time with @jaz_arelis @j7md today selecting papers, color matching and pulling test prints of an illustration I made while traveling on tour. Thanks to the Blackburn team + summer interns for their support and this opportunity. #hi #bye by @j7md

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Words can’t express how magical our time in Detroit was! Our stop began at @27thletterbooks , where readers gathered with @djinnabad , @lianeya, @j7md and @fattooshe for an evening of conversation that wandered through folklore, memory, spirituality, and the enduring power of storytelling. As a recurring theme of this tour, the room became a space where people connected the stories of Jerusalem’s jinn to their own cultural traditions, family histories, and encounters with the unseen. Our heartfelt thanks to Drew and the entire @27thletterbooks crew for welcoming us so generously and creating such a thoughtful space for these conversations to unfold.The journey culminated at Mother of Pearl Studio @motherofpearl.design with a beautiful garden gathering marking the launch of The Fiction Council mural. As the new moon emerged and the night settled into its darkest hour, friends old and new gathered around a bonfire to share jinn stories, food, laughter, and reflections beneath the stars. Painted by the talented @sultansignco , the mural features TFC’s iconic Sadaniel سدن إيل—a guardian carrying a book in one hand and a paintbrush in the other, symbolizing the literary and artistic tools through which stories are preserved, renewed, and carried into the future. For one evening, it felt as though the jinn of Jerusalem had found a home in Detroit.Our deepest thanks to Bree, Kevin, and the entire Mother of Pearl Studio community for their warmth, generosity, and care throughout our stay. Detroit embraced us with extraordinary hospitality, and we leave feeling grateful for every conversation, every story shared, and every new connection made.As we continue with our tour along the East Coast, we carry Detroit’s spirit with us.@djinnabad, @fattooshe, and @j7md continue their journey across the U.S. for readings, conversations, and performances celebrating the launch of the English translation of Hidden Companions: Paranormals from the Old City of Jerusalem. by @j7md

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The next stop is… Baltimore! How does one even begin to research the paranormal in a place like Jerusalem? What are the responsibilities one would hold? What existing mythologies and legends inform traditional forms of Palestinian storytelling? How are paranormal stories part of Palestine’s intangible heritage?Leena Aboutaleb will be in conversation with Ahmad Nabil at Red Emma’s on June 17th at 7pm to discuss all these questions and more, marking launch of the English Translation of Hidden Companions, Paranormals from the Old City of Jerusalem. Translator Fatema Alhasemi will be in attendance to discuss her process of translating the book into english, alongside editor and facilitator, Jenna Hamed.“Hidden Companions offers a comprehensive testimony of Palestinian magic, power of imagination, and extensive worldbuilding. It archives kaleidoscopic accounts of the realms of the unseen from 1948 to the present day. Enshrined in folk heritage, it presents an intimate and expansive depiction of the spirit world in Palestine.” – Sanabel Abdel RahmanThe book and special edition merch will be available at the event. by @j7md

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