Opening June 4, 2024, 5 pm
Panel discussion June 18, 5 – 7 pm
until June 18, 2024

Kung Oscars väg 11, 205 80 Malmö, Sweden

ABSENCED is a book and performative art exhibition in which machines produce and represent the work of artists living in different geo-socio-political locations, realities, and circumstances yet very similar. All participants were cancelled, censored, intimidated, punished, or suppressed in Germany before and after October 7th.

The opening and artist talk will be at 5 pm on June 4, followed by a panel discussion between Khaled Barakeh and Julia Bjornberg, curator at the Malmö Art Museum. The exhibition runs until June 18 2024.

Participants are Adam Broomberg (artist) & Rafael Gonzalez (artist), Anaïs Duplan (poet, curator, artist), Bastardilla (street artist), Anti Story (anonymous art project), Daniela Ortiz (artist), Ghayath Almadhoun (poet), Halima Aziz (artist), Hamja Ahsan (artist, writer, curator), John Keane (professor), Johanna Tagada Hoffbeck (artist, cultural practitioner), Liad Hussein Kantorowicz (artist, musician, feminist activist), Phoebe Walton (architect, designer at Forensic Architecture), Raphaël Malik (photographer), ruangrupa (artists’ initiatives, curators), Shahidul Alam (photographer), Taring Padi (artists’ collective) and Tinne Zenner (artist, filmmaker).

Curator Khaled Barakeh (conceptual artist, activist, cultural organizer).

Background:
With the rise of nationalism, populism, and right-wing governments worldwide, our era is characterised by complex challenges significantly impacting the vitality of the cultural and artistic landscapes. The cumulative impact of the rise in cultural cancellation, artistic freedom violation, and freedom of movement limitation, restriction, or outright negation — paints a concerning picture of the future of arts and culture worldwide, particularly in Germany. Even though it has strong constitutional and legal protections for freedom of speech, artistic expression and a thriving contemporary art scene with ample funding for the arts, the German regime has reacted to any of the Palestine solidarity movement with a series of censorships and repressive measures. This suppression, which reminds of the McCarthyism period, will affect the artists and deprive societies of the critical and diverse perspectives that art uniquely offers.

Artists, often without support systems or resources, courageously lead the fight for free expression, creation, challenge, imagination, and inspiration. They face unprecedented levels of censorship, legal repercussions, and threats to their safety for expressing their viewpoints or exploring contentious subjects. This dire situation necessitates a united effort from all stakeholders, including governments, cultural institutions, artists, and civil society, to create open, inclusive, and supportive environments where cultural and artistic expression can flourish without fear or hindrance.

ABSENCED responds to these challenges by creating a platform for artists to freely articulate themselves and their rights to ultimate freedom of expression.