Each reader in “Realization” was thoughtfully positioned to embody a distinct national experience, transforming Nietzsche’s philosophical critique of the “state” into a visceral exploration of identity, privilege, and belonging.

The German reader, Min-Dju Jansen, performed from the comfort of a bed set within the space. This staging choice symbolized a sense of security, stability, and introspective distance—mirroring Germany’s historical reckoning with its own past. The bed became a metaphor for collective memory and the uneasy comfort of confronting inherited guilt. Min-Dju’s physical separation from the audience and her lack of direct interaction evoked the idea of a nation both protected and isolated by the weight of its own history.

The English reader, Raina Lee, moved freely among the audience, unconstrained by borders or boundaries. Her unrestricted movement reflected the mobility and privilege associated with Western passports—particularly those of the United States and the UK. Raina’s presence in the audience highlighted the freedoms often taken for granted by citizens of powerful states, as well as the lack of collective shame or reckoning found in other national narratives. Her fluidity served as a living contrast to the restrictions faced by others, both in the performance and in reality.

The Arabic reader, Amr Attieh, was placed in a stationary train seat, an image charged with symbolism. The train represented forced displacement, migration, and the uncertainty of both voluntary and involuntary journeys. For many in the Arab world, questions of nationality are entangled with histories of migration, exile, and complex relationships with one’s homeland. The decision to translate “state” as “nationality” in the Arabic reading brought the existential struggles of belonging and identity to the forefront, inviting the audience to reflect on the pain, pride, and ambivalence that accompany the search for home.

This triadic staging created a powerful tapestry of lived realities. It invited the audience to witness how the concept of the state—its borders, privileges, and traumas—shapes the lives and identities of individuals across different cultures. By physically and linguistically adapting Nietzsche’s text, “Realization” made space for empathy, dialogue, and the recognition of both shared and divergent histories.