The annual March Meeting kicked off in style yesterday with a full day of discussions and screenings around the fascinating topic of Palestinian art. The whole event, a six day programme of panels, lectures and presentations, is being directed by the artists participating in the Sharjah Biennial, which runs until the end of June.
To begin the proceedings, Rasha Salti and Kristine Khouri, researchers and writers, presented their findings from more than two years of research into the links between Japan and Palestine as well as the process behind their current exhibition centering around the salvaging of The International Art Exhibition of Palestine that happened in 1978 in Beirut. Salti and Khouri constructed a metaphorical history for the exhibition that is currentcy on display in MACBA in Barcelona.
Later in the day, Khouri was in conversation with Mei Shigenobu, the daughter of a Japanese activist who was born in Beirut. She spoke of why the Palestinian cause won a place in the Japanese hearts and upon issues of occupation and discrimination.
Finally, Professor WTJ Mitchell gave a presentation titled Salvaging Israel/Palestine; Art, Collaboration and the Bi-National State. Talking of the intertwined nations and the capacities of the arts, Mitchell had the audience enraptured until the end.
* March Meeting continues with a fascinating programme all week until Saturday. For more info see the website: www.sharjahart.org
