It is quite a paradox that, while the world in general is moving towards the removal of borders, we men and women continue to create them. The border as a universal concept, as a polysemic concept, conditions us in accordance with “otherness” and our own selves, with politics, religion, nationality, the economy, family bonds, language, our gender, health, and our own identity. Thus, we can actually speak about thousands of different borders, but all bearing one common feature by definition: the boundary, or “limit.”

They are in many cases imaginary borders, which cause us to see the threat of “otherness” with which we are unfamiliar. There are even more borders behind which we assume what lies beyond are extraordinary creatures, ogres, princesses, monsters or fantasy-like places which are filled with enormous wealth, or individuals who possess amazing qualities.

At the same time, the border is a boundary which unites and separates all at once; it joins together and gives a feeling of security through knowledge about what we have beside us; it constructs the identity of what we are and our sense of belonging, while building an “us” to seek out arguments of protection with regard to the “other,” the one that lies “beyond,” out there in the unknown.

The exhibition “Limitless: Artistic (de-)construction of borders” has brought together sixteen Jordanian artists, including men and women whose works constitute a critical reflection upon topics revolving around the concept of real and imaginary borders created by human beings, including those which are social, political, natural, economic, gender-based, identity-based, racial, etc. in nature.
 
This exhibition has been made possible by the cooperation between Casa Árabe and the Jordan National Gallery, with the goal of promoting work by young creators from Jordan, a country with which we share strong bonds of friendship.

The exhibition includes works by: Ala Younis, Ahmed El Khalidi, Ahmad Salameh, Asia Sheshani, Dana Kaoukji, Deema Shahin, Dina Haddadin, Firas Shehadeh, Juman Nimri, Khaldoun Hijazin, Linda Al Khoury, Mais el Azab, Mohammad Hawwari, Mo’men Khalid Malkawi, Raed Ibrahim, Reema Shatat