Wahad

A Material Expression of Unity and Impermanence in Public Space

Created as the central Effigy for the 2021 Midburn Festival, Wahad stood as the definitive landmark of the temporary city. The 15-meter-tall sculpture features a two-sided human figure—both masculine and feminine—that shifts form as viewers walk around its perimeter. Inspired by the ancient Midrashic concept of the first human as an androgynous being, the installation explores the balance between duality and oneness.

The project bridges architectural design with sustainable practices, constructed entirely from recycled timber and reeds to integrate with the desert environment. The base of the structure functioned as an active stage for live music and cultural performances, combining large-scale event production with spatial design to create interactive placemaking for the festival community.

The installation culminated in a ritual burn that reduced the timber structure to ashes. This intentional destruction completed the project's life cycle, emphasizing the concept of impermanence and demonstrating how temporary art can transform the perception of a location and unite a population