The CAP regularly invites people to attend the discussion series โArt in Conflictโ. The series addresses fundamental questions faced by practitioners such as: โWhat can art achieve in regions affected by war?โ โHow do artists work to preserve human dignity, create new opportunities for encounters, and promote peaceful conflict?' These and other pressing questions should not only be discussed inside of the artasfoundation but should rather be opened up to a larger audience of interested people.
โArt in Conflictโ is a hybrid event which is held in English and hosted at Stall 6 at Gessnerallee or occasionally at ZHdK, Toni Areal. Invited experts, who either work in or publish about art initiatives in conflict regions, give the initial impulse for the discussion via a short presentation or a text which is shared in advance. Interested visitors are welcome to follow or join the conversation.
Wednesday, 23 April 2025, 5:30 - 7 pm
Art in Conflict: โTransforming Political Imagination Through Soundโ
with Stas Shรคrifullรก/HMOT (researcher, artist working with sound and listening)
Gessnerallee Zurich, Stall 6, Gessnerallee 8 & Zoom
Born and raised in East Siberia (Russia) and drawing from Bashqort heritage, Stas uses this dual cultural background as a lens to critically engage with politics surrounding decoloniality and indigeneity. In the text Sonorous ลifr: How Sonic Practices Helped Bashqorts and Tatars to Keep Their IdentitySonorous ลifr: How Sonic Practices Helped Bashqorts and Tatars to Keep Their IdentitySonorous ลifr: How Sonic Practices Helped Bashqorts and Tatars to Keep Their Identity (Stas Shรคrifullรก, Marsel Gani), the authors explore how sonic and listening practices can serve as catalysts for transforming political imagination into tangible action โ and vice versa.
For the event on 23. April, please register here
Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 5:30 - 7 pm
Art in Conflict: โSocial Art Initiatives Out in the Streets โ
with Vera Ryser (founding member of the collective Das Wandbild muss weg! (The Mural Must Go!)) and Asida Butba (SKLAD)
Gessnerallee Zurich, Stall 6, Gessnerallee 8 & Zoom
Two projects in different political contexts are at the core of this issue of Art in Conflict. One is an initiative in Switzerland that deals with how to address a racist public mural (Das Wandbild muss weg! (The Mural Must Go!)). The other is the long-established project space SKLAD in the globally isolated region of Abkhazia1. SKLAD seeks to be a place where international artists can engage with the local context, local artists can further develop their work, and the creative community can find space for exchange and discussion. Through these two civil society and artistic initiatives, the conditions for successful engagement are explored.
For the event on 14. May, please register here
Wednesday, 18 June 2025, 5:30 - 7 pm
Art in Conflict: โTheatre as Generator for Political Liberationโ
with Iman Aoun (theater maker) and Toni Shapiro-Phim (director of the programme in Peacebuilding and the Arts and Chair of the minor in Creativity, the Arts, and Social Transformation, Brandeis University)
Gessnerallee Zurich, Stall 6, Gessnerallee 8 & Zoom
The evening focuses on the exchange between a theater maker and a researcher with a background in dance, discussing the intersection of human rights and art. The accompanying text Performance. A conversation between Iman Aoun and Toni Shapiro-PhimPerformance. A conversation between Iman Aoun and Toni Shapiro-PhimPerformance. A conversation between Iman Aoun and Toni Shapiro-Phim explores in the form of an interview what the unique qualities of drama and artistic work in traumatic contexts are.
For the event on 18. June, please register here
All events take place on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm, last for about 90 minutes and are in English in a hybrid format (on-site and on Zoom).
Supported by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia.