Block Universe was invited to curate a programme of performances at Quoz Arts Fest, Dubai, hosted by Alserkal, on January 24 and January 25. Presenting a series of works in the context of Dubai, the inaugural Middle Eastern programme for Block Universe reflects upon social and cultural histories; diasporic roots, migration and embodied or archival memory. Artists included Eglė Budvytytė (LT/NL), Alex Mirutziu (RO) and Himali Singh Soin (IN/UK).
Press release below:
Block Universe at Quoz Arts Fest, Dubai—
Friday, 24 January 2020, All day
Saturday, 25 January 2020, All day
Quoz Arts Fest, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai
Following an international programme marking half a decade of curating and commissioning, spanning Italy, Germany and the United Kingdom in 2019, Block Universe announce that 2020’s programme will begin in the United Arab Emirates.
In Dubai, Block Universe have been invited to curate a programme of performances at Quoz Arts Fest, hosted by Alserkal, on January 24 and January 25. Presenting a series of works in the context of Dubai, the inaugural Middle Eastern programme for Block Universe reflects upon social and cultural histories; diasporic roots, migration and embodied or archival memory.
Artists include Eglė Budvytytė (LT/NL), Alex Mirutziu (RO) and Himali Singh Soin (IN/UK). For Quoz Arts Fest, each artist touches upon the themes oulined above, whether that be Himali Singh Soin’s narrative film and performance as an Indian exploring the Arctic as a means of questioning nationalistic fears of the ‘other’; Eglė Budvytytė’s choreographies for public space that question ritualised and normative behaviours; or Alex Mirutziu’s exploration of explores the fringes of what can be seen or represented within a complex system of ascriptions, presumptions and fictionalizations or within larger political structures such as the backdrop of Communism. The programme of live works will take in a number of presentation formats, such as lecture-performances, choreographic works and participatory action. It will take place in and around Concrete, the OMA-designed building shortlisted for the 2019 Aga Khan Award for Architecture.
Friday 24 January 2020
13:00 – 14:00
Performance by Eglė Budvytytė, Incantation Karaoke @ Concrete
14:00 – 15:00
Performance by Alex Mirutziu, Doing Sub Thinking @ The Yard
15:00 – 15:30
Talk with Eglė Budvytytė and Louise O’Kelly @ Concrete
18:30 – 19:00
Performance by Himali Singh Soin, we are opposite like that @ Concrete
Saturday 25 January 2020
13:00 – 14:00
Performance by Eglė Budvytytė, Incantation Karaoke @ Concrete
14:00 – 15:00
Performance by Alex Mirutziu, Doing Sub Thinking @ The Yard
15:00 – 15:30
Talk with Alex Mirutziu and Louise O’Kelly @ Concrete
16:00 – 16:30
Talk with Himali Singh Soin and Louise O’Kelly @ Concrete
18:30 – 19:00
Performance by Himali Singh Soin, we are opposite like that @ Concrete