Zero Encounters is a durational performance project that took place in Amsterdam from 10 to 16 November 2023. During this period, Ahmed consecutively encountered six different strangers, each for 24 hours, without speaking. Participants signed up for the project via an online invitation. Ahmed accompanied them throughout their day, during which the participant took charge of how and where the day was spent. The intention was to set a condition of proximity over a period that would be long enough for an intimacy of presence to emerge, wherein they would not rely on verbal language to negotiate desires, but rather attempt to become familiar with each other otherwise.

‘i feel you like the moon feels the earth’ bridges the journey of conjunction from memory to this moment of holding space together. 

Performance: Ahmed El Gendy, Clotilde Cappelletti, Estéfano Romani; Sound: Eleni Maragkou; 2nd year Mentor: Miguel A. Melgares; 1st year Mentors: Chupan Atashi, Jassem Hindi