On echoes of invisible hearts
PRESS RELEASE:
Diwan Al Fan is pleased to announce On Echoes of Invisible Hearts: Narratives of Yemeni Displacement, a group show curated by Lila Nazemian running from September 26 to October 18, 2018 and featuring works by Ibi Ibrahim, Yasmine Nasser Diaz, Habeeb Mohammad Abu-Futtaim, Saba Jalas, Eman al-Awami, and Arif Al Nomay.
By reflecting on the current instability in Yemen and the greater refugee crisis throughout the region, On Echoes of Invisible Hearts features artists in Yemen and the diaspora whose works explore themes of loss and estrangement. As the war reached its three-year anniversary this March, there seems to be no end in sight to the violence taking place, yet coverage and understanding of this conflict and its severe social, humanitarian, and infrastructural consequences remains minimal. Beyond falling short on complexifying reports to include the ethically dubious role of Western powers in regional conflicts, media outlets especially fail to discuss the emotional toll this war has taken on everyday Yemenis.
In an effort to engage with more personal accounts, the exhibition will act as a platform to put forth the artists’ views regarding various personal and collective experiences, as Yemenis, but more importantly as displaced individuals. Being displaced does not merely refer to a literal meaning, but also points to emotional and spiritual uprootedness. The show is conceived to be presented in Berlin so as to further connect to the greater refugee and immigrant experiences that have been at the forefront of current-day political discourses.
Sourcing content from top U.S. news outlets, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, and the Los Angeles Times, first generation Yemeni-American Yasmine Diaz focuses on the disproportionate distribution of information about one of the most dire issues of our time. In her works, Diaz examines the censored and limited U.S. media coverage of the conflict in Yemen.
Working in diverse mediums, the artists exhibiting explore themes of identity, memory, representation and displacement, all within the current context of war and instability. By diversifying the dominant narratives about Yemen and its peoples, the exhibition draws attention to the discrepancies that exist between public and private knowledge of events unfolding in Yemen daily. On Echoes of Invisible Hearts challenges viewers to reflect on their understanding of the conflict and to question the roles of various geo-political forces and the responsibilities of Western governments within the larger refugees crisis.
On Echoes of Invisible Hearts is made possible with the generous support of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES).