The project “One Must” was created for the exhibition “Timing: Negotiations of Time,” organized by the Ionian University in Thessaloniki in March 2026, featuring video art and installations. Physically, the work consists of a structure approximately two meters high and one meter wide, draped in black fabrics of various textures. This construction creates the sense of a space of isolation. Upon entering the installation, the viewer is invited to sit and put on headphones. Before the audio begins, they encounter their own reflection in fragmented mirrors scattered across the fabric. This detail, enhanced by careful lighting, strengthens the interactive nature of the experience.A seven-minute soundscape plays on a loop through the headphones. Specifically, this ritualistic soundscape guides the viewer from global noise toward inner stillness, using the rhythmic strikes of singing bowls—associated with meditative practices—as temporal markers. These sounds define the pauses and prepare the viewer for a moment of transition into isolation. The soundscape also features the whispered, rhythmic repetition of the prompt “relax,” enhanced by vocal effects.

At the core of the audio piece is a mosaic of multicultural prayers, liturgies, and rituals from around the world, alongside pleas for peace in various languages (including English, Ukrainian, Arabic, and Latin). Through this composition, the work develops its anti-war message, as expressed by the Arabic verse: “Let the weapons be laid down, let the guns fall silent, and let love prevail in a world moving so swiftly toward hatred.”

The ultimate purpose of the work is to provide a moment of sanctuary, inviting the viewer to meditate or even pray. “One Must”—completing the phrase: Pray—given the current global state of conflict.