Counterpoints

To Re-Cite: Ayat al-Kursi - Sound, Faith, and Collective Listening - workshops
2026-04-26 10:30 - 2026-08-16 13:00 (Europe/London) | Clore Creative Studio Whitechapel Gallery, Clore Creative Studio, Whitechapel Art Gallery, 77-82 Whitechapel High St, London, E1 7QX
We warmly invite you to a workshop as part of the wider development of our newly commissioned project with artist Aliaskar Abarkas, exploring sound, music, and listening through faith and collective experience.
Each session brings together members of our community with Muslim backgrounds to share ideas, and reflections on how sonic practices – from recitation and prayer to breath, rhythm, and silence – shape spiritual, emotional, and communal life. The starting point of the project is the Quranic verse Ayat al-Kursi, whispered across generations, transmitted as both lullaby and sonic protection.
This is a series of workshops forming part of a longer-term project, with sessions taking place on Sun 26 Apr, Sun 17 May, Sun 31 May, 21 Jun, 12 Jul, 26 Jul and 16 Aug 2026. Please book each session individually.
To Re-Cite is co-commissioned by Counterpoints Arts and Whitechapel Gallery for Backyard Biennial.

Book workshops on these dates:
Sun 26 Apr 2026, 10.30am – 12.30pm; book HERE
Sun 17 May 10.30am – 12.30pm; book HERE
Sun 31 May 10.30am – 12.30pm; book HERE
Sun 28 June 11am – 1pm; book HERE
Sun 12 July 11am – 1pm; book HERE
Sun 26 July 11am – 1pm; book HERE
Sun 16 August 11am – 1pm; book HERE

Aliaskar Abarkas is an Iranian artist based in London.
Rooted in alternative and communal art education, his practice stages choreographic encounters that move from individual elements into collective expression. Often in dialogue with historical sources, Abarkas builds collaborative frameworks that invite participants to interpret and activate inherited scores through music, exhibition, and performance-making.
He is currently an Associate Artist at Sadler’s Wells / Rose Choreographic School (London, 2024–26) and Lead Artist at Autograph Gallery (Acts of Solidarity, in partnership with All Change, London, 2025–28). He holds a BA in Visual Cultures from the University of Tehran and an MA in the Theory of Contemporary Art and Politics from Goldsmiths, University of London. Previous residencies include Cubitt Gallery and the Swiss Church (London), as well as Rupert (Lithuania), the Institute of Postnatural Studies (Madrid), Castro (Rome), Open School East, and Syllabus V (UK), among others.
His work has been supported by institutions including the Barbican Centre, ICA, The Mosaic Rooms, TACO!, Pushkin House, LUX (London), CAPC (Bordeaux), LOCALES (Rome), Scuola Piccola Zattere (Venice), and CIRCA. Upcoming projects include commissions and collaborations with Arts Catalyst (Sheffield), YDP Foundation (London), and the Singapore Art Museum.
Image: Reverberance, Living Rehearsing, YDP, London, 2026. Photograph: Anne Tetzlaff
