Reviews
The extent of ongoing and increasing repression of artistic freedom in Germany had caught some of the visitors by surprise. With each story of censorship brought to ABSENCED, Germany’s otherwise strong frameworks for expressing political opinions and artistic creativity got called out. Moreover, with a minimum or no interference from the curator as well as the library staff in the choice of works sent in by the artists, ABSENCED created a platform for artists to freely articulate themselves and their rights to ultimate freedom of expression.
READThis High Ground of Neutrality: A Review of the ABSENCED Exhibition at Malmö City Library
Amid cascading censorship incidents of pro-Palestinian voices in Germany, especially since October 7th, Malmö City Library hosted an exhibition featuring artists and works that have been subject to ‘cultural cancellation’ by various German institutions. The southern Swedish municipality, however, in deciding to host this performative exhibition, non-deliberately also highlighted the contradictions in its armlängds avstånd (‘an arm’s length distance’) principle, a cherished tenet of Sweden’s cultural policies.
Kinari’s music is a radical sonic collision between her life in Delhi’s Khirki Extension in her lyrics and an intentional and intelligent reckoning with her Tamizh cultural and musical heritage through her use of parai drum beats, and gaan-inspired compositions. It is a raw and unflinching exploration of her life and is unapologetically transgressive. By blending streetwise lyrics with traditional rhythms, she creates a sound that is both familiar and revolutionary.
READA Debut of Power, Politics, and Possibility: Reviewing Kinari’s full-length album ‘KATTAR KINNAR’
Transgender rapper and 2024 Toto Music Awardee Kinari’s debut album, KATTAR KINNAR, is a defiant proclamation of identity that challenges societal norms and inspires a new generation of artists. Launched at Mujrevali Madhuri with an opening mujra performance by acclaimed trans dancer Khushi Shaikh, the album is a sonic revolution. A deep dive into Kinari’s work reveals an artist who defies expectations and commands attention. Can her fearless lyrics and innovative sound redefine the boundaries of Indian hip-hop?
An activation by Palestinian artists Maen Hammad, Dina Salem, Sari Tarazi, and Ahmad Alaqra was hosted at DoubleDummy, Arles, between July 1-7, 2024, during the opening week of the Rencontres d’Arles. It conveys a timeline of the ongoing genocide in Gaza using information shared via alternative messaging platforms like Telegram.
READRadical Re-imagining of Visual Order in the Midst of an Ongoing Genocide of Palestinians: A Review of ‘Against Abstraction’
An activation by Palestinian artists Maen Hammad, Dina Salem, Sari Tarazi, and Ahmad Alaqra was hosted at DoubleDummy, Arles, between July 1-7, 2024, during the opening week of the Rencontres d’Arles. It conveys a timeline of the ongoing genocide in Gaza using information shared via alternative messaging platforms like Telegram.
