CLUSTER was assigned by Action for Hope to design and produce the display units of the “On the Tracks of Music” exhibition in Amman and Beirut. The exhibition in Amman took place at the Jordan National Gallery of Fine Arts. Due to the ongoing aggression in Lebanon, the exhibition in Beirut has been postponed. The exhibitions document the folk music of 11 communities in the Levant and Mesopotamia by displaying the traditional musical instruments, their raw materials, and replicas to engage with.

The “On the Tracks of Music” was a year-and-a-half project by Action for Hope that involved field research by scholars, musical training from folk musicians, workshops on crafting traditional instruments, and performances by trainees and renowned artists. The exhibitions in Amman and Baghdad, and the launch of a website showcasing the research materials are the final stage of this project.

The design concept prioritizes compactness for efficient space utilization and transportation, flexibility for presenting the instruments and materials, and simplicity for easy assembly and disassembly. The display units were inspired by The Laterna, the Pianola, or the Music Box which began to be heard in the streets from the late 19th to early 20th century in Greece before there were radios or gramophones. The Pianola was a pop-up source of entertainment and an inclusive one when there were few accessible entertainment houses. As the musician finishes the performance, he packs his instrument back on his shoulder, ready to bring joy to the next crowd. Reflecting on the Pianola’s journey, the exhibition is designed to be mobile, set to travel to Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan, delighting audiences with the pianola as a showcase for traditional instruments.