From Al Ma'mal Retrospective:
Eighteen Palestinian and international artists were invited by Al Mamal to think through the theme of Exhaustion in the context of the city and its environment, and to produce work that explored issues involved in this condition and feeling which afflicts the whole of Palestinian society and is palpable in Jerusalem particularly. In addition, 11 young Palestinian artists were commissioned by Palestinian Art Court, Al Hoash to produce new artworks to be presented in the framework of the Jerusalem Show. Jumana Abboud and Jack Persekian drafted an outline of what Exhaustion meant in the context and sent this to selected artists asking them to respond. They were already aware of the existing work of some artists that would fit very well with the theme and in some cases these specific works were requested.