Visual Culture and Palestinian Identity in Protracted  Displacement

Dana Hamdan

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-98215-6_22

Visual Culture and Palestinian Identity in Protracted Displacement

Dana Hamdan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBN › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

This chapter examines how visual and spatial practices shape identity within Al Wehdat refugee camp, focusing on the dual themes of resistance and assimilation among Palestinian refugees in Jordan. Through iconographic murals and material interventions in domestic architecture, residents convey their collective memory, cultural heritage, and future aspirations. Semi-structured interviews with long-term refugees reveal community-led initiatives aimed at beautifying public spaces and reasserting symbolic ownership of place. By integrating elements of both Palestinian and Jordanian heritage, these artistic practices embody a complex interplay of nostalgia, resilience, and adaptation, transforming the camp into a culturally charged landscape of belonging. Ultimately, this study underscores the vital role of creative expression in navigating the refugee experience adds nuance to debates on visual culture, place-making, and identity within protracted displacement.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Design for Performative Arts Spaces
Subtitle of host publication	Historical Evolution, Cultural Context, and Future Opportunities
Editors	Alessandro Melis, Marco Pelle
Place of Publication	Cham
Publisher	Springer Cham
Chapter	22
Pages	195–204
Number of pages	10
Edition	1
ISBN (Electronic)	9783031982156
ISBN (Print)	9783031982149
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-98215-6_22
Publication status	Published - 16 Oct 2025

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Keywords

Refugee Artistic expression
Al Wehdat refugee camp
Architectural adaptations
Collective memory
Community-led initiatives
Palestinian and Jordanian heritage

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-031-98215-6_22

Cite this

@inbook{5c155cca091e41e0a839d1eaf9a3a963,

title = "Visual Culture and Palestinian Identity in Protracted Displacement",

abstract = "This chapter examines how visual and spatial practices shape identity within Al Wehdat refugee camp, focusing on the dual themes of resistance and assimilation among Palestinian refugees in Jordan. Through iconographic murals and material interventions in domestic architecture, residents convey their collective memory, cultural heritage, and future aspirations. Semi-structured interviews with long-term refugees reveal community-led initiatives aimed at beautifying public spaces and reasserting symbolic ownership of place. By integrating elements of both Palestinian and Jordanian heritage, these artistic practices embody a complex interplay of nostalgia, resilience, and adaptation, transforming the camp into a culturally charged landscape of belonging. Ultimately, this study underscores the vital role of creative expression in navigating the refugee experience adds nuance to debates on visual culture, place-making, and identity within protracted displacement.",

keywords = "Refugee Artistic expression, Al Wehdat refugee camp, Architectural adaptations, Collective memory, Community-led initiatives, Palestinian and Jordanian heritage",

author = "Dana Hamdan",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.",

year = "2025",

month = oct,

day = "16",

doi = "10.1007/978-3-031-98215-6\_22",

language = "English",

isbn = "9783031982149",

pages = "195–204",

editor = "Alessandro Melis and Marco Pelle",

booktitle = "Design for Performative Arts Spaces",

publisher = "Springer Cham",

address = "Switzerland",

edition = "1",

}

Visual Culture and Palestinian Identity in Protracted Displacement. / Hamdan, Dana.
Design for Performative Arts Spaces: Historical Evolution, Cultural Context, and Future Opportunities. ed. / Alessandro Melis; Marco Pelle. 1. ed. Cham: Springer Cham, 2025. p. 195–204.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceeding with ISSN or ISBN › Chapter › peer-review

TY - CHAP

T1 - Visual Culture and Palestinian Identity in Protracted Displacement

AU - Hamdan, Dana

PY - 2025/10/16

Y1 - 2025/10/16

N2 - This chapter examines how visual and spatial practices shape identity within Al Wehdat refugee camp, focusing on the dual themes of resistance and assimilation among Palestinian refugees in Jordan. Through iconographic murals and material interventions in domestic architecture, residents convey their collective memory, cultural heritage, and future aspirations. Semi-structured interviews with long-term refugees reveal community-led initiatives aimed at beautifying public spaces and reasserting symbolic ownership of place. By integrating elements of both Palestinian and Jordanian heritage, these artistic practices embody a complex interplay of nostalgia, resilience, and adaptation, transforming the camp into a culturally charged landscape of belonging. Ultimately, this study underscores the vital role of creative expression in navigating the refugee experience adds nuance to debates on visual culture, place-making, and identity within protracted displacement.

AB - This chapter examines how visual and spatial practices shape identity within Al Wehdat refugee camp, focusing on the dual themes of resistance and assimilation among Palestinian refugees in Jordan. Through iconographic murals and material interventions in domestic architecture, residents convey their collective memory, cultural heritage, and future aspirations. Semi-structured interviews with long-term refugees reveal community-led initiatives aimed at beautifying public spaces and reasserting symbolic ownership of place. By integrating elements of both Palestinian and Jordanian heritage, these artistic practices embody a complex interplay of nostalgia, resilience, and adaptation, transforming the camp into a culturally charged landscape of belonging. Ultimately, this study underscores the vital role of creative expression in navigating the refugee experience adds nuance to debates on visual culture, place-making, and identity within protracted displacement.

KW - Refugee Artistic expression

KW - Al Wehdat refugee camp

KW - Architectural adaptations

KW - Collective memory

KW - Community-led initiatives

KW - Palestinian and Jordanian heritage

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105025627064

U2 - 10.1007/978-3-031-98215-6_22

DO - 10.1007/978-3-031-98215-6_22

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9783031982149

SP - 195

EP - 204

BT - Design for Performative Arts Spaces

A2 - Melis, Alessandro

A2 - Pelle, Marco

PB - Springer Cham

CY - Cham

ER -