The ARTISTS AT RISK PAVILION—Artists. Risks. Humans. Rights.
Biennale Preview Launch: 18-19 April, 2024
Exhibition Period: April 17–May 16, 2024
Palazzo Zorzi, UNESCO Venice, Castello 4930, 30122 Venice
The ARTISTS AT RISK PAVILION—Artists. Risks. Humans. Rights. with the support of UNESCO HQ is a celebration of artists and cultural professionals who risk their lives on the frontlines of artistic freedom and human rights. An exhibition and discursive programme at the intersection of the arts and human rights, the AR Pavilion will feature art, discursive panels and networking events for and by residents, alumni, partners and those who stand in solidarity with Artists at Risk (AR), the global residency programme for artists at high risk.
This edition of the AR-Pavilion holds particular significance as it marks the 10th anniversary of Artists at Risk (AR). AR has relocated over 850 (principal) artists and art professionals together with over 300 hosting partners around the world in its first, intense decade.
Blast the colours of the rainbow
Eyes unflinching
Flipping fingers
Tongues all out.
Get up, Stand up…
and face the corollary:
Pitch-black solitary.
Eyes for snipers
Whole hands, off
Cut the tongues
Necks on blocks.
Where would you go if the world fell apart?
The ARTISTS AT RISK PAVILION with the support of UNESCO HQ—Artists. Risks. Humans. Rights. is curated by Marita Muukkonen and Ivor Stodolsky, the co-directors of Artists at Risk (AR) and co-founders of Perpetuum Mobile (PM).
ARTISTS in the Pavilion
Said Ahmed Mohamed Ali, visual artist, Tunis/Khartoum
Suva Deepdas, multi-disciplinary artist, Helsinki/Shillong Meghalaya
Kholod Hawash, textile artist, 2024 Venice Nordic Pavilion, Helsinki/Basra
Saddam Jumaily, artist, Helsinki/Basra
Nikita Kravtsov, artist, Paris/Kyiv
Damian Le Bas, Sr., artist, Gypsyland/Worthing (1963-2017)
Delaine Le Bas, artist, Worthing
Nkosilathi Emmanuel Moyo, activist and poet, Kweke, Zimbabwe
Issa Touma, photographer and filmmaker, Aleppo
Mirwais Rekaib, film director, Hamburg/Kabul
Barış Seyitvan, artist and curator, Berlin/Diyarbakir
Aws Zubaïdy, actor and dancer, Verscio/Bethlehem
Find the full programme with artist and speaker bios here.
(NB Guests will not be able to attend without registration via [email protected] due to UNESCO security measures and limited seating)
Brunch: April 18, 10am–12:30pm (by invitation only)
with Ernesto Ottone Ramirez (Assistant Director General, UNESCO), Sari Multala (Finnish Minister of Culture), Kajsa Ravin (Director General of the Swedish Arts Council)
Opening Words April 19, 3pm
Magdalena Landry (UNESCO, Venice Office), Kajsa Ravin (Director General Swedish Arts Council), Marja Karttunen (Saastamoinen Foundation), Ivor Stodolsky and Marita Muukkonen, (Co-Founders and Co-Directors of Artists at Risk (AR)
Panel discussions chaired by the Directors of Artists at Risk (AR)
Panel 1, 3.20pm Romana Cacchioli (Executive Director, PEN International), Anaïs Chagankerian (UNESCO, Paris), Elyla (performance artist/activist, Chontales), Nkoshilathi Moyo (human rights activist/poet, Kweke), Simon Mraz (Austria Kultur International/Ars Electronica State of the Art(ist) Prize), Margit Rosen (ZKM, Karlsruhe), Barış Seyitvan (artist/curator, Berlin/Diyarbakir)
Performance by Aws Zubaïdy, actor and dancer, Verscio/Bethlehem
Panel 2, 4.30pm Said Ahmed Mohamed Alhassan (visual artist, Khartoum), Elisabet Goula Sardà (CCCB), Timea Junghaus (ERIAC, Berlin), Nikita Kravtsov (artist, Kyiv/Paris), Hito Steyerl (filmmaker/writer, Berlin), Issa Touma (photographer/filmmaker, Aleppo), Aws Zubaïdy, actor and dancer, Verscio/Bethlehem
Reception and Concert by FO SHO (Ukrainian-Ethiopian hip-hop trio) from 5pm.
Opening words by Kaisa Rönkkö (Finnish Arts Promotion Center), Theresa Lekberg (SWAN-Swedish Artist Residency Network), Tessa Giller (Prince Claus Foundation)
Artists at Risk (AR) is operated by Perpetuum Mobile ry (PM), a nonprofit association at the intersection of human rights and the arts. Since 2013, AR has grown to become a truly mondial network supporting artists facing persecution, oppression, or fleeing conflict or terror. Artists at Risk (AR) is coordinated by the 10-20 member AR-Secretariat anchored in Helsinki. Following an outpouring of solidarity and growing international renown in past years, securing funding is once again a key challenge.
UNESCO does not endorse any product, service, brand or company.
This event is part of Artists at Risk (AR) – A European Network of Safe Havens, with AR, ZKM, CCCB and Artveda, a Creative Europe project co-funded by the EU.
For press and inquiries please contact [email protected]
