As If I Don’t Fit There

As If I Don't Fit is a video installation by Mounira Al Solh, created in 2006. Al Solh is a Lebanese-Dutch artist whose work is multidisciplinary and often explores themes related to immigration, feminism and identity.
This installation follows four fictional artists who decide to stop being artists and feel no regret about it. This is typical of her video work, where she takes a fictional rather than documentary approach.
On screen, printed text appears beside the artists, explaining why they quit and their new jobs. Further video documents artistic works. These characters share the immigrant mindset, and by chance, most of them present videos that look like previously existing artwork.
Slowly, the viewer sees that Mounira Al Solh takes the role of these invented artists. She explores the state of change to reflect on artistic issues. This helps her tackle the question of constant doubt that confronts her as an artist.
The result, however, though based on (self) criticism, is not necessarily negative or implosive, and this contradiction is another central aspect of the work. Al-Solh explores similar themes in her textile work, where the artist reflects on individual and collective struggles.
In 2007, As If I Don’t Fit There was part of the Forward exhibition at the first Lebanese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale. The Van Abbe Museum in Eindhoven included it in their exhibition Becoming Dutch before being displayed in the permanent collection display at Mathaf from November 2022 – January 2025.