Join us for an online discussion with Samia Halaby (artist and scholar), Sandi Hilal (architect, artist and educator), Samah Hijawi (artist and researcher), and Kamal Aljafari (filmmaker) on possibilities for the future, post-COVID-19 arts scene from a local and international perspective.
Moderator : Yazid Anani, director of Public Programme, A.M. Qattan Foundation
At the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, Arundhati Roy described the pandemic as “a portal, a gateway between one world and the next.” As humanity took a pause, mourned, reflected, rose up, and resisted, we found ourselves not only waiting but also fighting for a new world to emerge. What are the roles of art and cultural institutions in this moment of global crisis ?
The pandemic and resulting economic conditions present an uncertain future yet also create the opportunity to carve out a more sustainable environment for both artists and institutions. Beyond their entertainment and consumerist roles, can the arts and culture devise alternative political ideas — adopt and incorporate ideals that are socially engaged and responsible, eco-centered, (self)-critical, collaborative, pedagogical, dynamic, and financially sustainable ? What can we learn from each other, and how can we better work together ? Are new structures of solidarity possible ?
Can we, through this crisis, devise alternative political ideas and tools, decolonise our institutions and education curricula, and be active players and allies in anti-imperialist and anti-racist movements ? How can art and culture engage and operate as effective tools to incite radical and positive change ?
Tuesday, September 8
7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Palestine time).
via Zoom and Facebook
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83012693437?pwd=ZjdwNlZqb01ocncwNzRPMGt1UTZCdz09
English translation available