The Desk section acts as the nexus for several international correspondents to question how their respective cultural fields have taken, and are taking, shape; where some of the driving questions include: What are the socio-political environments and histories within these fields? How do these factors pressure the humanities, and, more so, how do the humanities in turn respond to, and co-form, these contexts?

Using this as a point of departure, Zolghadr questions what is considered “international” within the arts field specifically, what is “correspondence” potentially, and what can a “cultural field” embody as a working premise. During his talk, Zolghadr will also touch upon questions of representation, distance, and what he likes to term “the aesthetics of embargo”.

Program

7 pm
Welcome by Defne Ayas (Director, Witte de With) & Introducing WdW Review

7.15 – 8 pm
Talk by Tirdad Zolghadr (Writer & Curator)

8 – 8.30 pm
Q&A moderated by Amira Gad (Managing Curator / Publications, Witte de With)