Rad Hourani's "SOCIO-ECONOMIC SYSTEMS" series delves into the divisive separations inherent in economic systems, examining the social, national, and topographical relationships that shape our everyday environments. By exploring the concept of land as a place of neutrality, Rad proposes an alternative understanding of social identities, bringing to light the fictitious mental constructs and historical structures that confine us. This body of work exposes the impact of mental and physical divisions created by authorized hierarchies for economic gain.

The series initiates its thematic exploration through the hybridization of sculpture and painting, interrogating the philosophical essence of what it means to be human in the physical world. Rad considers how we identify with objects such as flags, doors, money, maps, stamps, and signs, and how we resonate with names, languages, and anthems. Social identifiers like gender, skin color, sexual orientation, and body forms are examined, along with the attachment of identity to age, theology, borders, and social classes, which encourage competition. Success becomes intertwined with status, nationality, religion, politics, and other forms of indoctrination.

Rad highlights how these normalized labels and connotations of selfhood, ingrained since childhood, exist only in non-physical and sensorial realms. These subconscious illusions create stereotypes, misogyny, inequality, prejudice, and supremacy, giving rise to derogatory terms. Rad observes how humanity is fragmented by various signifiers, producing mental limitations, and advocates for a return to our unconditioned roots as a unified entity.

© RAD HOURANI

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