In the context of shifting definitions surrounding the role that the artist plays in nation building and place-making, Stephen Hobbs (Director of Johannesburg’s The Trinity Session) and Laila Binbrek (Coordinating Director of the National Pavilion UAE la Biennale di Venezia) unpack insights that reflect on current trends and possible futures. Moderated by Kevin Jones. Laila Binbrek Laila Binbrek is the Coordinating Director of the National Pavilion UAE, which presents the United Arab Emirates’ annual exhibition at the Venice Biennale. She has worked to set the pavilion’s ongoing strategy and vision in collaboration with its commissioner, the Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation, and manages its operations and team. Additionally, she oversees the development of the Venice Internship, a training program that to date has sent around 200 interns to Venice as ambassadors for the UAE and its rich culture. Laila has significant experience within the region’s cultural industry. Before joining the National Pavilion UAE, she spent 6 years at The Third Line, one of Dubai’s leading contemporary art galleries, where as gallery director she worked to develop a platform for MENASA artists from across the region. Prior to that, Laila managed the Art Centre at the Dubai Community Theatre & Arts Centre (DUCTAC), with the goal of promoting community engagement within the local community of the UAE. Stephen Hobbs Since 1994, Johannesburg has served as a critical reference point for Stephen Hobbs’ artistic and curatorial insights into the apartheid city turned African city - with a particular interest in the impact of defensive urban planning and architecture on the behavioural aspects of city and society. The resultant urban decay that develops in such conditions evolved Hobbs' practice into consultative processes on the role of art in public space relative to urban renewal and place making initiatives commissioned by the city. Hobbs’ near 10 year relationship with David Krut Projects has broadened his artistic repertoire through print making, book making and publishing. In addition David Krut Projects New York has produced a variety of Hobbs’ talks, presentations and workshops in numerous Universities and Institutions through-out the USA. Stephen Hobbs was the curator of the Market Theatre Galleries (Johannesburg) from 1994 to 2000, Co-Director of the purpose-built Gallery Premises (2004-2008) at the Joburg Theatre. Since 2001, he has co-directed the artist collaborative and public art consultancy – The Trinity Session. And since 2004 has co-produced a range of multi-medium urban and network-focused projects with Marcus Neustetter, under the collaborative name Hobbs/Neustetter. In 2017, Hobbs joined the Graduate School of Architecture at the University of Johannesburg, as Unit Leader and resident critic.

FOLIO by Alserkal

Majlis Talk: What is the role of the artist in society?

On this episode of the FOLIO podcast, we investigate the obsessive need to soothsay.

Soothing the Soothsayers

Ramadan Kareem. Pause, reflect, and reconnect. As part of Alserkal’s annual thematic on Maintenance, Ramadan at Alserkal Avenue encourages us to shift our focus towards discourses around maintenance, urging us to reconsider our present moment. Throughout the month, our Ramadan programme invites you to Iftar and Suhoor experiences, art and self-care workshops, thought-provoking discussions, exhibition openings and guided tours, film screenings and more, reflecting the communal spirit of Ramadan. In this episode of Conversations on the Avenue, we catch up with Butheina Kazim from Cinema Akil, Kenza and Patrick Jarjour from Inked, and Lola Boatwright from Gulf Photo Plus to hear about their Ramadan line-up. Our Alserkal Lates continue every Wednesday, and the galleries will open new shows during the 15 May edition of Alserkal Lates, when galleries will be open from 8-11PM. You’re also welcome to discover our many family-friendly activities throughout Ramadan at Alserkal Avenue, including the children’s camps at Wisdom Warehouse, Board Game Nights at A4 Space, fashion pop-ups, night markets, and Majlis Storytelling in The Yard. The full calendar of events is available here, and we have an ever-growing calendar of activities, events, and exhibitions running throughout the month, so keep checking in for updates.

Reflect & Reconnect: Ramadan at Alserkal Avenue

The exhibition Fabric(ated) Fractures explored the complexities of sensitive spaces, a testament to human fortitude in the face of violence.

Humanity as Refuge, Part II

Humanity as Refuge, Part I

‘While We Wait’ is a stunning sculptural installation, constructed by quarried Palestinian stone in a tall, vertical structure of interlocking stone pieces. Crafted via a combination of ancient and cutting-edge technologies, the sculpture is destined to be installed permanently in the landscape that inspired it - the Cremisan Valley close to Bethlehem, Palestine. We talk to the designers and to curator, the V&A’s Salma Tuqan, about the work and the fascinating story behind it. While We Wait was commissioned by the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. It was on show at Concrete in Alserkal Avenue from 5 November to 18 November.

Architecture Meets Nature: While We Wait

Manal AlDowayan is one of Saudi Arabia’s most significant artists. Her impressive body of photography, sculpture, and video works is often on show on the other side of the world, while she is in situ elsewhere. AlDowayan’s keen sense of perspective makes for bold, exploratory pieces that speak of a woman’s lot in today’s world. At Alserkal Avenue, for example, AlDowayan exhibited a landmark multi-video installation (I Had No Wings, 2015), commissioned by Rolls Royce, that examined the (then) precarious position of women in Saudi as car passengers, but never drivers.  Now, just following the installation of one her works at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, AlDowayan is preparing to leave for a major, site-specific solo show in Madrid with Sabrina Amrani Gallery ((12 January-30 March). Fari Bradley catches up with this Dubai-based artist, to find out more about her evolving methodologies, the shifting significance of her work, and the thought behind her practice.   Follow AlDowayan's work at www.manaldowayan.com

A Force to Reckon With | Manal AlDowayan

In the second of our special two-part series celebrating the first 10 years of Alserkal Avenue, we meet the founder of the Avenue himself, Abdelmonem Bin Eisa Alserkal, to hear of his vision and ambitions in creating the biggest arts community in the region. He's joined by the director, Vilma Jurkute, and together, they reflect, discuss, and look ahead to the future of Alserkal Avenue.

Alserkal Avenue | The First Decade (Part 2)

Join us in a celebration of Alserkal Avenue's first decade as we meet some of the people who have made the first ten years of Alserkal Avenue a unique success story. In this special two-part edition of Conversations on the Avenue, we meet with some of the creative visionaries and cultural entrepreneurs who have partnered with Alserkal Avenue over the past decade. Exploring the history of the neighbourhood, reflecting on its astonishing growth and looking forward to the future, we meet gallerist Yasmin Atassi of Green Art Gallery, Laura Egerton, Rami Farook of Satellite, Shelley Frost from The Fridge, Butheina Kazim from Cinema Akil and Janet Bellotto from Zayed University.

Alserkal Avenue | The First Decade (Part 1)

From spooky foxes, to street-crawling museums, Communist icons to futuristic ghost cities. ADAPT TO SURVIVE: NOTES FROM THE FUTURE takes the unique visions of seven international artists to create a kaleidoscope of thrilling possibilities, surreal suggestions and esoteric explanations on how the future might yet evolve for us. Having exhibited in London’s Hayward Gallery, in its HENI Project Space under the auspices of curator Dr Cliff Lauson, the show is now running at Alserkal Avenue’s CONCRETE space, marking the first time a Hayward show has travelled to the UAE. In this special edition of CONVERSATIONS ON THE AVENUE, we meet curator Dr Lauson who walks us through this compelling collection of multimedia works, allowing us to absorb the ideas behind them and provide the basis for our own responses and reactions to the art. Presented and produced by Arsalan Mohammad.

Future Legends

FOLIO is a podcast by Alserkal Avenue about arts and culture in the MENASA region. We speak to gallerists, artists, collectors, and curators to document the incredible growth and development of the region's contemporary art scene.

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FOLIO by Alserkal

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