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

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