The Gaza Biennale is set to take place tonight, January 14, outside the ICA in London, marking its first UK event. This collective project showcases work from over 60 Palestinian artists, many creating amidst challenging conditions in Gaza. Artworks will be projected onto the ICA’s walls, highlighting the resilience and creativity of Palestinian culture.

Organised by Gaza Biennale – Jinnaah UK, and supported by groups including the Palestinian Youth Movement and The White Pube, the event also serves as a protest against the ICA’s concurrent private viewing of ‘New Contemporaries,’ sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Critics allege that Bloomberg’s funding has supported infrastructure for West Bank settlements deemed illegal by international law. Protests are expected outside the ICA, urging attendees of the private event to join the Biennale instead, which will run from 6pm to 9pm. Participants are advised to dress warm and bring refreshments.

The Gaza Biennale aims to bring awareness to the struggles of Palestinian artists and the broader Palestinian cause. By showcasing their work in international venues, it hopes to amplify voices often silenced due to conflict and occupation. The involvement of various grassroots movements underscores the collective desire for solidarity and protest against entities perceived to support oppression. This evening’s event is not only a showcase of art but a significant political statement in light of the ongoing tensions surrounding Palestinian rights and international complicity in settlement activities.

Tonight’s Gaza Biennale in London serves both as a cultural celebration of Palestinian artistry and as a powerful protest against external influences on Israeli settlement policies. By projecting artwork from Gaza, local artists aim to raise awareness and build solidarity while challenging complicity from major sponsors like Bloomberg Philanthropies. The event is a reminder of the intersection between art, politics, and social justice, encouraging engagement from attendees of the ICA’s private event to join their cause.

Original Source: www.dazeddigital.com

The post Gaza Biennale Launches in London Amid Protest Against Funding Ties first appeared on The London Bell.

The Gaza Biennale will be showcased today outside the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) in London as a protest against the institution’s New Contemporaries exhibition, which is funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies. Featuring works from over 60 Palestinian artists, the Biennale seeks to raise awareness about the ongoing violence in Gaza and challenge the financial support tied to Israeli development projects. Supported by groups like ARTCRY and the Palestinian Youth Movement, the initiative reflects the artists’ determination to break away from conventional exhibition formats, emphasising their plight and cultural contributions. The project is positioned as a recurring event, showcasing solidarity and resilience of Gaza’s artistic community over time.

The Gaza Biennale represents a global artistic initiative that emerged as a response to the challenges faced by Palestinian artists due to socio-political circumstances. It aims to highlight their work while advocating for justice and cultural recognition. The protest at the ICA specifically addresses the controversial funding from Bloomberg Philanthropies, which critics associate with aggravating the conditions in Palestinian territories, particularly in relation to settlement expansions. This exhibition is a strategic move to amplify Palestinian voices on the international arts stage while addressing broader human rights concerns.

The Gaza Biennale’s protest at the ICA underscores a significant intersection of art and activism, as over 60 Palestinian artists bring their work to a global audience. By spotlighting the challenges faced by their community and challenging the funding practices of major institutions, the Biennale not only aims to create a dialogue but also to ensure that the plight of Palestinians remains visible and urgent. This initiative promises to not only showcase their art but also assert their resilience for the future.

Original Source: www.huckmag.com

The post Gaza Biennale Protests ICA Exhibition with Palestinian Art Showcase first appeared on The London Bell.