The Curse of Geography: Artistic Journalism
The Curse of Geography is an on-going series of investigations focused on the effects of geographic isolation from and proximity to centres of power, with an emphasis on multiple dimensions of social justice, human rights and public policy. The reports, published on ArtsEverywhere, are produced in multi-media format in partnership with artists, journalists, NGOs, academic and cultural institutions, and news outlets. They locate the arts and culture at the centre of complex, intersecting social, cultural and political realities and the lived experiences of communities. The exhibition is a composite assemblage of material and ephemeral representations of these varied and fascinating locations. The material includes graphic works, drawings, photographs, audio, video and sculpture created during and inspired by the reporting process in Honduras, Newfoundland, Puerto Rico, Tajikistan and Tibet.
In tandem with the opening of The Curse of Geography, the artists and journalists hosted a panel discussion on artistic journalism and the integration of artistic practice, ethnography, reporting, documentation and reflective production. In the age of “fake news” and an increasingly unstable news industry – marked by memory loss and driven by ad revenue – artists are devising new approaches to storytelling, grounded in communities, amplifying their voices and equipping them to construct their own narratives.
Featuring the work of
- Siddhartha Joag, Managing Editor of ArtsEverywhere
- German Andino, illustrator and journalist
- Arahmaiani, performance/visual artist
- Xu Shuang, photographer/ethnographer
- Esteban Figueroa, artist organizer
- Emma Kazaryan, artist
- Natalia Crocker, community organizer
- Amber Art & Design, artist collective
- Daniel Phelan, artist
- Rebecca Peeler, filmmaker
- Jacob Cohen, artist
Estaban Figueroa binds Jacob Cohen during the pre-talk performance.
Left to Right: Arahmaiani, Emma Kazaryan, Dan Phelan, and Natalia Crocker.
Emma Kazaryan (left) with Dan Phelan and Natalia Crocker.
Curator Sidd Joag.
Jacob Cohen (left) with Esteban Figueroa
Elder Peter Schuler closes the festival.