Not About Bombs
January 1st, 2012 by Luke| Jan | Mar |
| 31 | 3 |
A collection of contemporary works by eminent female Iraqi artists explores an identity in flux.
Exhibition Run: Jan 31st – March 3rd, 2012
Opening Reception: 7PM Friday, Feb 3, 2012 at Intermedia Arts, Free
Co-Presented by IARP and Intermedia Arts
Description of Exhibit
This exhibit will not be what you expect. It is not about war. It is not about Iraq. It presents contemporary art by Iraqi women, but mainly in an attempt to deliberately explore and challenge expectations. Given the Western obsession with gender issues in Middle Eastern societies, it is no surprise that women have taken center stage in the rhetoric of Western media. This has been fueled even more by the role women are playing in the tumultuous Arab Spring uprisings.
Unfortunately, not much has shifted in the controlled and contrived representation of Iraqi women by Western media. Factor in a contemporary art world that is generally male-dominated and often ignorant of the Middle East, and the cards are stacked against this lesser known perspective. This exhibit addresses how a female perspective can fit into the modern context of turmoil and conflict through art and avoid falling into the typical ways that women are represented and… misrepresented.
Here is a start. Let women tell their story in whichever form they desire. Specifically, tell it through art that speaks an unconventional language, and art that speaks to the cutting-edge nature of contemporary art. Shared here is a platform for a generation of female artists who are undeniably influenced by the aesthetics of conflict and the stereotypes that define them, but not in the least bit limited by them. The 5 women in this exhibit contribute art that is visually and conceptually accomplished, but unpredictable and emotionally engaging. Because if anything, as a long, drawn-out, mind-numbing war comes to a “close,” emotional investments in Iraq are few and far between.
Featured Artists
Julie Adnan, Dena Al-Adeeb, Sama Alshaibi, Sundus Abdul Hadi, and Tamara Abdul Hadi
For more information, contact:
Tricia Khutoretsky
Program Manager / Curator, Iraqi Art Project
tricia@reconciliationproject.org
612.978.5566
Kathy McKay
Executive Director
kathy@reconciliationproject.org
952.545.9981
From Baghdadi/Mem Wars by Sama Alshaibi and Dena Al-Adeeb
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The Iraqi and American Reconciliation Project(IARP) seeks to promote reconciliation between the people of the United States and Iraq in response to the devastation affecting Iraqi families, society, and culture. IARP recognizes the common humanity of the people of Iraq and the people of the United States. IARP works closely with its partner in Iraq, the Muslim Peacemaker Teams.
About Intermedia Arts | www.IntermediaArts.org As Minnesota’s premier multidisciplinary, multicultural arts center, Intermedia Arts builds understanding among people by catalyzing and inspiring artists and audiences to make changes in their lives and communities. We are a nationally recognized leader in empowering artists and community leaders to use arts-based approaches to solve community issues. From graffiti art to digital technology to performance art to spoken word, we work from the community up to unearth and enliven new and emerging artists and art forms while challenging and exploring the role of art in our lives. By stimulating civic dialogue and giving voice to the issues and experiences of underrepresented communities locally, nationally and internationally, we contribute to a stronger, healthier society.
This activity is funded, in part, by appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State’s general fund, and its arts and cultural heritage fund that was created by a vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
This presentation is a part of Intermedia Arts’ Catalyst Series.
Opening Reception sponsored by Bryant Lake Bowl.
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