Art
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Art and liberation
Modern Arab art and the depiction of blue collar workers
The rise of liberation movements in the Arab World during the 20th century brought with them an array of complimentary works from the creative sector. Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi examines the phenomenon
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2020 Singapore Art Week
Of spirituality in a contemporary age
How to talk about spiritual matters in a highly secularised, hyper-pragmatic society? This was the question artists exhibiting at the Stamford Art Centre in Singapore grappled with during the 2020 Singapore Art Week. By Naima Morelli
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The art of ornamentation by Parastou Forouhar
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An Arab reading of the Palestinian artist Mona Hatoum
Tea with the bogeyman
Contemporary artist Mona Hatoum is one of those figures whose presence in western capitals stimulates much attention and critical writing, while her exhibitions in Arab cities like Amman or Doha don’t seem to generate more than a few lines in the culture and entertainment sections. Yazan Loujami explores why this is so
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Overcoming cultural divisions
"Iraq is full of inspiring stories"
At the end of November, a squad of young cultural creatives from all over Iraq met in Erbil, in the country’s north. Their work spans the fault lines that run through Iraqi society, and draws parallels to the revolution in Baghdad and in the country as a whole. Christopher Resch reports from Erbil
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Interview with Malaysian artist Nadiah Bamadhaj
Freeing the body from conservatism
One of the most relevant Malaysian artists of her generation, Yogyakarta-based Nadiah Bamadhaj uses sculpture, drawing, collage and video to challenge the restrictive societal norms in Southeast Asian countries and explore body politics. Interview by Naima Morelli
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Interview with Lebanese director Rabih Mroué
"First, they all have to go. And all means all"
The Lebanese director Rabih Mroué explains why a tax on WhatsApp led to an outbreak of mass protests in his country. And also why the government has until now refrained from using force. Rabih Mroue talked to Till Briegleb
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Berlin's "A New Divan"
Goethe's enduring vision of cultural dialogue
In his "West-Eastern Divan" published 200 years ago, Goethe promoted the idea of cultural proximity between Orient and Occident. The festival "A New Divan" in Berlin aimed at revisiting his idea. By Grzegorz Szymanowski
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Music and human rights in Saudi Arabia
To perform or not to perform?
International pop artists like K-pop group Super Junior are hugely popular in Saudi Arabia. But should international stars shun the Gulf monarchy because of its poor record on human rights? And if they do choose to perform there, are they indirectly supporting the country's repressive policies? By Nermin Ismail
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Berlin Jewish Museum: Exhibiting "This Place"
A personal take on Israel
Twelve artists from different nations were invited to participate in the long-term project "This Place". The goal was to explore Israel from a personal perspective. Their photographs and video installations can now be viewed at the Jewish Museum in Berlin. By Heike Mund
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Art and the AfD
Peddling high-brow Islamophobia
Consolidating its major party status in recent European elections, the AfD succeeded in part through the use of the arts in its campaigning. Critics fear that it is part of an ongoing push for "cultural hegemony". By Stuart Braun
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"Contemporary Muslim Fashions" exhibition
Muslim fashion – a material controversy
Frankfurtʹs Museum for Applied Art is currently hosting an exhibition on Muslim fashion. Heavily criticised for going ahead with the show, curator Matthias Wagner K explains how political fashion can be. Interview by Stefan Dege