TMR World Picks are selected by our editors. We welcome your suggestions: editors@themarkaz.org
TMR
Descent into Paradise, Kader Attia
Ongoing—Sept. 22, Montpellier, France —more info
MO.CO. is featuring a monograph on Kader Attia, a prominent French artist, curated by Numa Hambursin in conjunction with the Being Mediterranean exhibition. Through drawing, collage, photography, video, sculpture, and installation Kader questions current society, exploring its flaws, fears, traumas, and hopes for healing. Travel and marginalized cultures are significant influences in his work. For the exhibition Descent into Paradise, he was inspired by the body’s journey through the architectural structure of MO.CO. The exhibition symbolizes the journey from the sky to the earth and its depths. Alongside some of the artist’s major works, the exhibition will feature a number of new artworks, including a brand-new immersive installation consisting of a film shot in northern Thailand and a rainstick installation created for MO.CO.
War-Torn Ecologies: Resistant Worlds
June 27 —29, Mosaic Rooms, London, UK—more info
This program combines art and ecological practices in London and Beirut, inspired by the book War-torn ecologies, Anarchic Fragments: Reflections from the Middle East by Umut Yıldırım (ICI Berlin Press, 2023). The exhibition explores the impact of colonial realities and wars on the environment in the Middle East. It aims to counter ongoing violence unfolding across multiple geographies, in physical and digital space by showcasing experimental and artistic practices, which demonstrate vital active solidarities. It is curated by Odessa Warren, Umut Yıldırım, Reem Shadid (Beirut Art Center), Siegrun Salmanian and Angelina Radaković (The Mosaic Rooms).
Al Maqamat Festival
June 29, King’s Place, London, UK —more info
A two-day music festival hosted by MARSM and curated by renowned singer Rachid Gholam, celebrating the great diverse ‘maqamat’ musical modes of the Arab world, including rich Andalusian sounds inherited by Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco and Syria. On night 1 (Tunes & Rhythms of Al-Andalus from Morocco and Syria) in addition to Rachid Gholam, there will be performances by talented Syrian artist Khaled Al-Hafez and the creative Moroccan artist Bayan Balaiachi. Night 2 (Tunes & Rhythms of Al-Andalus from Algeria and Tunisia) will focus on the musical tunes known as Malouf. Rachid Gholam will be joined by Tunisian artist Syrine Ben Moussa and Algerian exponent Abbas Rigi.
Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film
July 3 —11, The Abdali Boulevard district of Amman, Jordan — more info
The Amman International Film Festival (AIFF) is in its fifth year. It features films from around the world, aiming to promote Arab cinema and address current issues. This year, the festival will focus on first-time achievements in filmmaking.
Asghar Farhadi, the Iranian film director, screenwriter, and producer, considered one of the most prominent filmmakers of Iranian cinema as well as world cinema in the 21st century, will be the festival’s guest. He will be present for a free Q&A session at the Royal Film Commission in Amman on July 9 where he will share the experiences that shaped his visual and narrative style leading up to his latest productions.
For a complete list of the 51 films showing at the festival see HERE.
Reading in Exile, on Palestine, with artists/writers Jumana Emil Abboud, Malu Halasa & Guy Mannes-Abbott
July 6, 5-7 pm, London, 34 Mortimer Street, W1W 7JS —more info
A discussion open to the public, inspired by the topic of exile present in Nil Yalter’s work from her current show at Ab-Anbar. Readings of excerpts on the topic specifically around the context of Palestine, lead by artists and writers Jumana Emil Abboud, Malu Halasa and Guy Mannes-Abbott. Participants are invited to debate as well as bring a short text or poem on the topic (no longer than 2 min).
This is the first event in Ab-Anbar Gallery’s parallel program centered around Nil Yalter’s solo show curated by Övul Ö. Durmuşoğlu, The Story behind Each Word Must Be Told, drawing from Yalter’s exhibition themes of exile, nomadism and music. The second event, Safe Journey, is a film screening + talk, on Saturday, July 20, 5-7 pm, at Ab-Anbar Gallery, is the hypnotic documentary, Latcho Drom, about the journey of the Roma people in music and dance, and will be projected in the gallery space. The film will be followed by a short talk by Dr Pooya Ghoddousi, LSE Fellow in Human Geography. The third event, After Stimmung, is an improvised music event, on Sat August 10, 6 – 7 pm, with London-based musician Khabat Abas on cello, and artist Benedict Drew on electronics. This will challenge the notions and concepts of Stockhausen, while drawing inspiration from Nil Yalter’s piece, artwork “D’Après
Stimmung.”
Radio France Festival
July 8—20, Montpellier, France —more info
Back for 39th edition, and over 13 days, visitors can enjoy some of the greatest international artists, from classical music, jazz, and electro. If you’re there, be sure to attend two of our favorites: Naïssam Jalal’s first solo concert, which will take place at the Fabre Museum on July 12, and the MARSA group trio (cello, violin and drums) at the Château d’O on July 9th.
Nazar Boy —Book Launch
July 11, Minnesota Museum of American Art, US —more info
Join the launch of Tarik Dobbs’s debut poetry collection, Nazar Boy (Haymarket Books, 2024) which explores surveillance, queerness, disability, race, and working-class identity in post-9/11 America. As an Arab American writer, Dobbs is deeply familiar with the dynamics of power, violence, and capitalism inherent in the language of the colonizer. Dobbs’ poems span distances within and between places, from the Levant to Michigan, and break down dichotomies portrayed in Western media: between Arabness and whiteness, intellectualism and the working poor, Muslimness and queerness, disability and desire. His book has been described as “thought-provoking” and “emotionally wrenching.”
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival
July 12 —21, Liverpool, UK — more info
Founded in 1998, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) is the UK’s longest-running annual Arab arts and culture festival platforming the best UK and international Arab artists.
TMR contributor Hassan Abdulrazzak will premiere his latest play Chambers of the Heart at the festival on July 19 and 20. The play follows three women as they confront love, desire, and memory in stories spanning East and West. It is written by Hassan Abdulrazzak, directed by Sepy Baghaei, and performed by Laila Alj. Another play in the program is Oranges and Stones, a wordless production with physical action and original music depicting occupation and settlement in Palestine over 75 years, directed by Mojisola Adebayo
Don’t miss Port Cities, an exhibition that offers unique perspectives on how ports shape cities, and our connection across seas. Featuring new work by visual artists Mohamed Abdelkarim, Laila Hida, Nadia Kaabi-Linke and Siska.
Weaving a World: Arabic Poetry in Translation with Zeina Hashem Beck, Zedan Zelef & Maya Salameh
July 13, Online & in person at Venice Blvd, California, US —more info
The Markaz Review and Beyond Baroque are pleased to present “Weaving a World: Arabic Poetry in Translation.” Titled after the Sudanese poet Al-Saddiq Al -Raddi’s poem, “Weaving a World,” the evening of readings in The Wanda Coleman Theatre at Beyond Baroque in Venice, CA features poets Zeina Hashem Beck, Zêdan Xelef, and Maya Salameh. This event is part of the Poetry Coalition’s slate of programs in the spring and summer that reflect the transformative impact poetry has on individual readers and communities across the nation, and is made possible (in part) by the Academy of American Poets with support from the Mellon Foundation.
This event will take place in-person at Beyond Baroque (681 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA 90291) and live on YouTube on Saturday, July 13th at 7:00 pm PT. You can RSVP here.
