Panel to discuss art in conflict zones

Staff Reporter|Published 7 months ago

UKZN Centre for Creative Arts director Dr Ismail Mahomed is on the panel discussing “Solidarity in the face of conflict and silencing” next Saturday. Picture: Supplied

This year’s Forging Futures Panel discussion at the Centre for Creative Art’s UKZN JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Experience 2024, centres around the current conflict driving the silencing of artists (mainly in the global North) that the world is witnessing.

Titled “Solidarity in the face of conflict and silencing” the panel takes place at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on Saturday, August 31 from 11.30am to 1pm.

Entry and participation are free.

JOMBA! assistant curator and project manager Thobile Maphanga will host a panel discussion titled “Solidarity in the face of conflict and silencing” at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on Saturday, August 31. Picture: Supplied

“The panel takes a hard look at current issues facing artists who have become at risk or are risky during times of solidarity brought on by unthinkable global conflict and oppression,” says Thobile Maphanga, JOMBA! assistant curator and project manager.

“Our hope is to make space to discuss strategies that artists have, and could, employed around conflict, censorship and silencing.”

Cape Town-based dancer and choreographer Yaseen Manuel is one of the Forging Futures panellists discussing “Solidarity in the face of conflict and silencing” next Saturday. Picture: Supplied

Hosted by Maphanga, the panel features three provocative and insightful guests: Cape Town-based dancer and choreographer, Yaseen Manuel, Dr Ismail Mahomed (UKZN Centre for Creative Arts director) and, Durban human rights activist Nadia Meer.

Up for discussion is the global wave of resistance shown by artists returning their post graduate and honorary degrees and awards to major institutions.

Durban human rights activist Nadia Meer is a panellist at the Centre for Creative Art’s UKZN JOMBA! Forging Futures Panel discussion “Solidarity in the face of conflict and silencing”. Picture: Supplied

Also under scrutiny is how social media platforms have become hot-beds of polarised reactions to propaganda and solidarity groups of resistance, and how artists, activists and curators of the Global South are responding.

In its third live iteration, Forging Futures at JOMBA! once again hopes to inspire a rich conversation between panellists and with the audience.

All attendees will be given a free ticket to see Yaseen Manuel’s matinee JOMBA! performance at 2.30pm after the discussion.

Contact Thobile Maphanga for queries: thobimaphanga@gmail.com