Platform for discussion007
What is the future of arts infrastructures and audiences across North Africa and the Middle East?
Proposal for a future field
or how to live outside of prediction
Duration proceeds not by continuous growth, smooth unfolding or accretion, but through division, bifurcation, dissociation – by difference – through sudden and unexpected change or eruption.
– Elizabeth Grosz
But everything is gone save the climate. And something of the sea has left, too, because the sea is so messy.
– Etel Adnan
On a bright morning, standing near an invented lake, I had a conversation with two men from Manila hired to navigate abras along Dubai's waters. They stood on the tame shore asking questions about my grass turf installation. One man took a photo on his Samsung phone and sent it to his wife in the Philippines. The other walked timidly across the grass in heavy boots. Ants and spiders scurried below each marked step. He came back to observe the work and asked what I usually do. Surely you don't always work with plants? No. This is site-specific. He spaced out as I began naming my practice, drawing, video, depends on the project...then he turned around and said: Oh. I get it. You can't draw desire, you have to walk it.
What is a platform?
A platform is a space for speaking in public. It is an opportunity to express ideas and thoughts. It also suggests the formal declaration of a stance or position on any given subject.
Unique to Ibraaz is a 'platform', a question put to writers, thinkers and artists about an issue relevant to the MENA region. This platform is sent to respondents both within and beyond the MENA region and contributions will be archived every 12 months.