Aaron Cezar shares the websites he wouldn’t be without
ArteEast
ArteEast’s website is a global outlet for critical discourse on contemporary art from the Middle East, North Africa (MENA) and their Diasporas. It provides different digital platforms to showcase work, a virtual art gallery and an online quarterly magazine, which I am guest editing in September. Its ‘Resources for artists’ section is a must for cultural practitioners looking for opportunities, and for organisations seeking to disseminate information.
Arab Image Foundation (AIF)
Based in Beirut, the Arab Image Foundation (AIF) collects and preserves photographs from MENA and the Arab Diaspora. The Foundation makes its collection accessible to the public through research, exhibitions, publications, videos and its website, which features an online image database. Registering gives access to some of AIF’s collection of 300,000 photographs. While the website leaves something to be desired, for now subscribers can create a portfolio and download favourite images.
MENASA Studio Dispatches
The MENASA Studio Dispatches was a project for this year’s Art Dubai by curators Andrew Bonacina and Victoria Brooks of The Island. Radio programmes are a unique part of The Island’s curatorial practice and this project explores the notion of the ‘studio’ through dispatches from artists. The artistic responses to the theme are thought-provoking and challenging, particularly those of Raed Yassin, Shezad Dawood, Rana Begum, and Ruanne Abou-Rahme and Basel Abbas.
Tashweesh
Tashweesh is the latest ‘voice’ to emerge from Palestine, representing a new generation of artists who are blurring the edges between artistic disciplines, social action and geographical boundaries. More than a music group, Tashweesh (meaning ‘interference’ in Arabic) have defined their practice through the exploration and collision between sound and video. Although there is only one clip on their website, I cannot help watching it over and over. Their live performances are a multi-sensory experience.
Universes in Universe
Universes in Universe is one of the most comprehensive resources on visual culture from Asia, Africa and Latin America. The website includes an index of artists and curators – a who’s who across those regions – as well as an overview of major exhibitions and photo tours of key biennials, which is helpful since it’s nearly impossible to attend every one. Nafas Art Magazine, a leading publication on contemporary art, is also available online.
Aaron Cezar is a producer, and Founding Director of Delfina Foundation, where he develops and oversees its interrelated programme of residencies and public events with cultural practitioners from the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. He tweets personally on @aaroncezar and professionally on @delfinafdn.
www.delfinafoundation.com
E aaron@delfinafoundation.com