Contemporary Arab* Performance/ ألاده العربي* الحديث

TEXT2SPEECH: Contemporary Arab* Performance/ألاده العربي* الحديث is a selection of works by artists of or living in the MENA region who are establishing a name for themselves in the world of performance. Fadl Fakhouri curates a range of works by artists whose performance work does not belong in one category or medium as a further refutation of the colonial borders imposed upon us. Some of these works may find themselves under the label of theater while others crossover to fashion or music. Regardless, these are artists to look out for and support as their commitment to performance will lead to their being household names at the turn of the century or hopefully before then.

*Arab is a catchall term that does not reflect the various ethnic identities within the MENA/SWANA region

TEXT2SPEECH is a curatorial project from Fadl Fakhouri which exhibits artists whose work centers borders, whether it be state borders, interpersonal boundaries, patriarchal gender guidelines or linguistic borders.

TEXT2SPEECH includes short video works by the following artists:

E Rady
3 studio performances begging the question of masochism’s place in the world of oppression and identity seeking

Ayoub-Jasmina Moumen
Taking place in Paris, Ayoub-Jasmina Moumen along with Refugee Engaged Wear employs the deconstruction of fashion to refute borders of gender and the imposed carnal prison.

Muyassar Kurdi
Muyassar Kurdi finds new ways to play instruments, although play is not readily interpreted as fun in this performance.

Leila Awadallah
Filmed in Italy, Leila Awadallah utilizes ancestral movement research and improvisation to pursue the creation of hybrid performance

From Mena with Love - Ballroom dancers
Ballroom dancers spanning the US and Europe, come together to exhibit the fusion of traditional arab dance and contemporary ballroom dance. Vogue is at stake.

Fadl Fakhouri
2 studio performances that play with a color language developed by the artist. Red, white & blue become more than hues and placate the subject’s allegiance to the state.

Noel Magathe
A performance that reveals the tension and tethering of the homeland longing that has the potential to nurture

Fargo Tbkahi
Performed in front of a live audience, Fargo Tbakhi’s delusion is the answer to their own definitions of sanity. Process and processing line the audience’s eyes on a prop-filled stage.