House of the Milky Way Residency and Exhibition

The Visual Arts Forum Inaugurates "House of the Milky Way" Exhibition

In collaboration with Italian artist Paolo Ghezzi

The Visual Arts Forum proudly inaugurated the exhibition "House of the Milky Way" on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at the Ramallah Recreational Complex, in collaboration with renowned Italian artist Paolo Ghezzi, representing the artistic duo "Antonello Ghezzi."

This exhibition crowns a seven-day artistic residency, involving more than 25 participants from diverse backgrounds. The residency was organized by the Forum under the artistic supervision of Paolo Ghezzi, with the accompaniment of Palestinian artists Majd Masri and Reem Masri, and the support of the Anna Lindh Foundation.

From the heart of Palestine, and specifically from Ramallah, a symbolic branch of the House of the Milky Way was established. The concept centers on uniting the inhabitants of Earth under the sky and its stars, transcending geographic borders and affirming our collective belonging to the universe. Through this initiative, the exhibition carries a message of hope, despite the struggles endured by Palestinians under occupation and genocide, and by communities worldwide facing the devastations of war. It stands as a powerful reminder of our shared human experiences and our unity as people aspiring to freedom.

A Journey Through Art, Stars, and Lost Dreams

During the residency, participants created the "Embassy of the Milky Way" by recycling furniture and office materials, painting them with cosmic blue and spraying them white to symbolize the galaxy and its stars. A special Milky Way Passport was designed and distributed to visitors who completed a citizenship form and received the official "Milky Way" stamp.

Meanwhile, the exhibition’s Lost Dreams Office offered visitors the opportunity to write and share their lost dreams, fostering direct public interaction with the installation and further embedding the sense of belonging and reflection.

Using the largest telescope in Bologna, Italy, the artists mapped the stars above Ramallah. Through a specially developed application, shooting stars passing over the city were captured and projected onto a mesh surface installed within the exhibition. The mesh illuminates in real time as shooting stars pass, offering visitors a magical, symbolic experience of phenomena often unseen and unfelt.

Audiences were invited to launch their wishes into space, simulating the magical vision of witnessing their dreams ascend among the stars, and to deposit their lost dreams into the exhibition’s Dream Box, creating a collective moment of reflection and hope.

A Musical Journey Across the Stars

In collaboration with the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music, the national anthem for the Milky Way composed by Palestinian musician Yousef Sikhnini, was performed by 6 of its students included traditional eastern instruments. The anthem infused the experience with an Arab musical spirit, transported the audience on a hypothetical voyage through the harmonious cosmos of stars, planets, and meteors.

A Call for Unity Beyond Borders

The message of the residency was clear:

A powerful invitation to see one another without borders or divisions — to unite in our shared humanity and existence on this Earth.

The Visual Arts Forum extends its heartfelt thanks to all the participants, artists, team members, and supporters who made this residency and exhibition possible.

About the Artist: Paolo Ghezzi

Paolo Ghezzi is an Italian artist born in Bologna. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, where he met Nadia Antonello. Together, they founded the artistic duo "Antonello Ghezzi" in 2009. Their works explore themes of lightness and magic, transforming everyday life into art. Their installations often blend technology, art, and poetry to embody abstract concepts. Notable projects include: A door that opens only with a smile, Soap bubbles that break down walls, A machine that crafts wishes using shooting stars.

About the Visual Arts Forum

The Visual Arts Forum is a non-profit organization established in 2002. Since its inception, the Forum has worked to bring visual arts into diverse areas of daily life, engaging with children, youth, and adults alike through a range of artistic, cultural, and community programs.

Its mission is to develop artistic appreciation within society through education, entertainment, research, production, and social engagement, always connecting art to the Palestinian social and political realities. The Forum envisions a culturally aware Palestinian society, believing that art and creativity are essential tools for expression, change, development, and the promotion of free thought. The Visual Arts Forum operates four main programs: The School of Visual Arts, Youth Economic Empowerment through art, Psychosocial Support through art, and Community Awareness through art, programs.