Event overview
Department of Art Public Talks Programme Autumn 2015
Contemporary Art Talks: Lawrence Abu Hamdan
Beirut based artist Lawrence Abu Hamdan’s work frequently deals with the relationship between listening and politics, borders, human rights, testimony and truth through the production of documentaries, essays, audio-visual installations, video works, graphic design, sculpture, photography, workshops and performance. Abu Hamdan’s interest with sound and its intersection with politics originate from his background in DIY music. As well as being the Armory Show commissioned artist, in 2015 Abu Hamdan’s work is also to be included in the New Museum Triennial. The artist’s video 'The All Hearing' (2014) was selected for the 44th International film festival Rotterdam. In 2014 his works became part of collections at MoMA New York, Van AbbeMuseum Eindhoven and Barjeel Art Foundation, UAE. In 2013 Abu Hamdan’s audio documentary 'The Freedom of Speech Itself' was submitted as evidence at an UK asylum tribunal where the artist himself was called to testify as an expert witness. He continues to make sonic analyses for legal investigations and advocacy - most recently his work was prominently part of the 'No More Forgotten Lives' campaign for Defence for Children International. The artist’s forensic audio investigations are conducted as part of his research for Forensic Architecture at Goldsmiths College London where he is also a PhD candidate and associate lecturer.
Hamdan’s solo exhibitions include 'Taqiyya' at Kunsthalle St Gallen (2015), Tape Echo (2013) at Beirut in Cairo and Van AbbeMuseum, Eindhoven, The Freedom Of Speech Itself (2012) at Showroom, London, The Whole Truth (2012) at Casco, Utrecht. Additionally his works have been exhibited and performed at venues such as The Shanghai Biennial (2014), The Whitechapel Gallery London, MACBA Barcelona, Tate Modern London, M HKA Antwerp, the Beirut Art Center and The Taipei Biennial (2012). Abu Hamdan’s writing can be found in Forensis Sternberg press, Manifesta Journal and Cabinet Magazine.
Image: Lawrence Abu Hamdan, ‘Contra Diction (speech against itself)’, 2015. Installation view at Kunsthalle St Gallen. Courtesy of the artist and mor charpentier Paris.
This event is free. No booking is required. All welcome.
Dates & times
| Date | Time | Add to calendar |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Oct 2015 | 5:30pm - 7:00pm |
Accessibility
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