BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Counterpoints - ECPv6.15.18//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Counterpoints REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20220327T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20221030T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20230326T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20231029T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231031T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231031T120000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023059 CREATED:20230828T063306Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144537Z UID:10000348-1698750000-1698753600@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Trigger and Maison Foo : theatre\, food and a culture of belonging (online) DESCRIPTION:As part of the Platforma festival 2023\, theatre companies Trigger and Maison Foo share their experiences of working with food and hospitality to engage with asylum seekers and help change narratives around displacement. \nA free online event on Zoom : reserve a free place via Eventbrite \nThere will be the opportunity for a Q&A\, to share your own experiences and to network online. \nTrigger \nNorth Somerset arts charity Trigger are creators and producers of bold\, unforgettable live events. \nFor this discussion they will be talking about Humanity Hotel\, an ongoing project supporting the wellbeing of asylum seekers housed in hotels across North Somerset. \nIn May 2022\, North Somerset become host to hundreds of asylum seekers forced to leave their homes and families\, and now displaced in the UK. \nHoused in rurally isolated areas\, this community rely solely on agents in Bristol to support their wellbeing needs\, from legal advice to English lessons. \nOn their arrival\, Trigger mobilised to offer support. Pulling together a network of local people\, they were able to help with donations of phones and other essential items; they’ve facilitated car shares and free public transport\, signposted legal advice\, arranged volunteer opportunities and brokered relationships with the local football club for regular games. \nOver the last six months Trigger have facilitated a regular creative and cultural programme. From art making to cooking\, sewing and ceramics\, Trigger are working in collaboration with local artists\, musicians\, arts venues and community organisations to deliver creative\, educational and participatory workshops for this community. \nwww.triggerstuff.co.uk \nFollow Trigger on Facebook\, Twitter or Instagram \nMaison Foo \nMaison Foo are makers of theatre\, art and community\, and a proud Theatre Company of Sanctuary. For this event they will be talking about their project A Seat At Our Table. \nOn October 2022\, Maison Foo and their Creative Sanctuary Group took over the grand Georgian dining room at Pickford’s House in Derby\, to reimagine what and whose stories are told in buildings such as these. \nThe project aimed to give people across the UK with Refugee and Asylum Seeker status\, a positive platform from which to tell and share their stories with audiences and beyond\, in places where their voice has previously been unheard. \nAudiences were invited to take a seat at the dining table\, to listen to personal and intimate stories about the familial and universal experience of food and mealtimes. Challenging the perception of who should be seated at the table of grand stately homes and paving the way for a new future…one that is open and accepting of all regardless\, of their background and journey to the UK. \nCo-created with Maison Foo’s Creative Sanctuary Group (a diverse collective of People Seeking Sanctuary in Derby)\, the project began with weekly gatherings to cook and to share favourite memories of mealtimes. These stories then formed part of ‘A Seat At Our Table’ a live multi-sensory storytelling experience co-hosted by the group. \nA Seat At Our Table was originally commissioned by Derby CAN (Arts Council England Producing HUB) in partnership with Derby Museums and Oddfellows UK. \n‘Dear Guests\, we welcome you to come and sit at our table and listen to our stories. Inspired by our love of cooking\, food\, and memories of family kitchens all over the world; these are stories we would love to share with you.’ The Creative Sanctuary Group x \nwww.maisonfoo.co.uk \nFollow Maison Foo on Facebook and Twitter \nImage: Maison Foo’s A Seat At Our Table\, Photo by Jon Legge \nPart of the Platforma festival 2023\, produced by Counterpoints Arts and partners across the South West of England. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/trigger-and-maison-foo-theatre-food-and-a-culture-of-belonging/ CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Platforma,Theatre ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Maison-Foo-Jon-Legge.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20231103 DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20231105 DTSTAMP:20260430T023059 CREATED:20231025T110612Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144537Z UID:10000373-1698969600-1699142399@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Climate Retreat DESCRIPTION:Image: House-of-Weaving Song by Dhaqan Collective © Luke O’Donovan \n  \n“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation\, and that is an act of political warfare.” \n“The love expressed between women is particular and powerful because we have had to love in order to live; love has been our survival.” \nAudre Lorde \n  \nAs part of this year’s Platforma Festival programme in the Southwest of England\, we have organised a Climate & Displacement mini-retreat\, taking place between 3-4 November at Hawkwood College\, Stroud. \nWith social and environmental issues intensifying\, and general discourse steered towards greenwashing and short-term solutions\, we need new approaches\, ideas and collaborations. With this challenge in mind\, we are organising a retreat that will convene a group of women artists\, who make work about community\, collectivism and solidarity. \nCould co-habiting in this way allow us to share our diverse methods\, processes\, struggles\, and accomplishments? Women have always convened. By giving a platform to women who are already developing work addressing answers to contemporary issues\, the retreat will provide an opportunity to start reciprocal conversations and engage intersectionally with womanhood\, migration and belonging in a self-directed\, non-hierarchical context. \nWe will host around twenty women in a generous\, intimate\, networking space that is about exchanging knowledge\, experiences\, practices and ‘making’ something together. \nThe retreat is co-designed and co-produced in collaboration with socially engaged artist Dana Olărescu. \nThis gathering is inspired by the fact that for the current Platforma Festival we organically commissioned and co-commissioned projects on migration and displacement by women artists\, who will be part of the retreat (artists Kaajal Modi and Dhaqan Collective – co-commissioned with Art Reach; and with Creative Kernow\, artists Sovay Berriman and Abigail Reynolds). This inspired us to want to re-imagine ways of gathering and collaborating led by women artists and activists\, including beyond this retreat. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/climate-retreat/ CATEGORIES:Learning,Sustainability & Climate Justice ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/House-of-Weaving-Songs-Playable-City-Bristol-Jul23-©-Luke-ODonovan-mid-res-26-of-36-e1698231818975.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231104T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231104T190000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023059 CREATED:20230918T102415Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144537Z UID:10000355-1699106400-1699124400@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Re-imagine Community Practice: Cooperation Disco + Arty Farty Karaoke (Bristol) DESCRIPTION:What is the migrant arts community?\nA cluster network under specific labels? The act of solidarity over trauma? Or can we take a different approach?\nJoin Bristol-based performance artist Howl Yuan on this social gathering\, featuring friendship\, celebration and joy-making practices. \nDate: Saturday 4th November 2023\nTime: 2-7PM\nVenue: Mill Room\, St. Anne’s House\, St Anne’s Rd\, Brislington\, Bristol\, BS4 4AB \nIn Cooperation Disco\, the group will engage with map making\, games and celebratory dances to build connections and solidarity across people and places in the UK. It’s a seemingly mighty task that we’ll face together with creativity and playfulness! Here everyone has a place. \nArty-Farty Karaoke is a multilingual karaoke practice. It embraces the act of ‘singing along’ and ‘singing with’ as the collective cheerful connection-making method. \nHowl invites migrant artists\, performance makers\, cultural producers and their allies to come and share your need\, support\, voice and joy. \nBook your FREE place by emailing Platforma producer Tasnim Siddiqa Amin at tasnim@counterpoints.org.uk with your name\, your link with Bristol and South West and whether you identify as a migrant performance practitioner (including artists\, producers\, advocators\, thinkers). \nThis event is co-facilitated with Ania Varez. \nLight refreshments will be provided.\nTimings:\n2PM – Welcome\n2.30PM – 4.30PM Cooperation Disco\n4.30 – 5PM Break\n5 – 7PM Arty-Farty Karaoke \nAnia Varez (they/them) is a Venezuelan dance artist and community worker based in Bristol. They graduated with honors from the London Contemporary Dance School. Ania makes experimental and collaborative performances\, working with other dancers\, artists of other disciplines and with people who don’t identify as artists yet. They have worked with Lisa May Thomas\, Laila Diallo\, Terrestrial\, Fair Play Productions and Shotput Theatre. Their own work has toured internationally (Taiwan and South Korea) as well as in the UK\, including SPILL Festival. They are a member of Interval\, an artist support network in Bristol. \nHowl Yuan\, or Yuan Cheng-Po\, is a Taiwanese performance maker/writer/curator/researcher. His interests cross cultural identity\, mobility\, site/place/space and decolonised narratives. His works span different formats but are primarily performance-based\, and are presented in theatres\, galleries\, festivals\, beaches or gardens. \nImage credit: Howl Yuan \nThis event is co-commissioned by Counterpoint Arts and performingborders \nPart of the Platforma festival 2023\, produced by Counterpoints Arts and partners across the South West of England. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/re-imagine-community-practice/ LOCATION:St. Anne’s House\, St Anne's Rd\, Bristol\, BS4 4AB\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Learning,Music,Performance & Dance,Platforma ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231105T143000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231105T163000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023059 CREATED:20231002T143017Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144537Z UID:10000366-1699194600-1699201800@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Name Me Lawand (Gloucester) DESCRIPTION:Lawand is a young Kurdish boy\, deaf since birth. At five years old his future in Iraq looks destined to be limited and lonely. In desperate search of a better life in a world where he can communicate\, his family decide to leave their home. After a treacherous journey and a year in a refugee camp\, the help of a deaf volunteer brings them to Derby where Lawand joins the Royal School for the Deaf. As he grows older\, the film follows his dramatic progress learning British Sign Language\, revealing a bright\, charismatic and inquisitive boy\, who discovers friendship and a new way to express himself. But just as Lawand is joyfully finding his place in the world\, the family face deportation from the UK. \nEmploying a striking lyrical and observational visual style\, writer-director Edward Lovelace spent four years filming Lawand\, learning British Sign Language himself. In this moving and inspiring portrait\, we follow Lawand’s evolution from extreme isolation to becoming able to be his true self. This is a story about the strength that language gives us\, whatever form it takes\, and of the power of friendship and community. \nName Me Lawand is a Pulse Films production with support from BFI Doc Society Fund (awarding National Lottery funding) and Electric Shadow Company. \nPresented as part of the Platforma festival 2023\, produced by Counterpoints Arts and partners across the South West of England. \nBook tickets URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/name-me-lawand-gloucester/ LOCATION:Gloucester Guildhall\, 23 Eastgate Street\, Gloucester\, GL1 1NS\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Film and Photography,Platforma ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Name-Me-Lawand.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231105T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231105T201500 DTSTAMP:20260430T023059 CREATED:20230926T073839Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144537Z UID:10000364-1699210800-1699215300@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:No Direction Home comedy featuring Sami Abu Wardeh (Gloucester) DESCRIPTION:Join us for a special night of stand-up comedy from the brilliant No Direction Home collective\, hosted by Stella Graham with guest headliner Sami Abu Wardeh. \nBook tickets \nPrior to the gig a delicious Pay As You Choose feast will be served by FOOD SPEAK EAT with DJ accompaniment from Liam Large playing original vinyl from Sudan\, Columbia\, Ethiopia\, Eritrea and more. Food served from 2-6:30pm. \nSami Abu Wardeh is a character comedian described by The Guardian as “blissfully funny” after a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival \nStella Graham is a comedian\, writer and podcast host. “Fun and original… everything a good comedian should be: self-assured\, likeable and\, crucially\, funny” \nNo Direction Home is a comedy collective run by Counterpoints Arts for new performers from refugee and migrant background. Performing in Gloucester will be Loraine Mponela and Anastasia Chokuwamba. \nTV comic and stand-up Nish Kumar\, says: “The No Direction Home comedians are a very exciting\, interesting and creative bunch of people to be around. And they are very funny. The material is really good.” \nPresented by Gloucester Guildhall and Counterpoints Arts as part of the Platforma festival 2023. \nBook tickets URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/no-direction-home-comedy-featuring-sami-abu-wardeh-gloucester/ LOCATION:Gloucester Guildhall\, 23 Eastgate Street\, Gloucester\, GL1 1NS\, United Kingdom ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Sami-web.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231113T191500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231113T201500 DTSTAMP:20260430T023059 CREATED:20231024T091738Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144537Z UID:10000370-1699902900-1699906500@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:No Direction Home with Rob Delaney and Michael Akadiri DESCRIPTION:The latest show in our Autumn season at Soho Theatre will be hosted by Michael Akadiri with guest headliner Rob Delaney. Performing alongside them from the No Direction Home Collective will be Lorain Mponela and Anastasia Chokuwamba. \nBook Tickets \nPresented by Show And Tell with Counterpoints Arts\, the gigs feature line-ups of new voices from refugee and migrant backgrounds alongside some of the biggest names in British comedy. \nNo Direction Home was established by Counterpoints Arts with Camden People’s Theatre and top stand-up Tom Parry\, who has mentored the group. \nThey have already won over audiences in a variety of venues in London and around the country\, and have now secured their second West End run. \nTV comic and stand-up Nish Kumar\, says: “The No Direction Home comedians are a very exciting\, interesting and creative bunch of people to be around. And they are very funny. The material is really good.” \nNo Direction Home performers are new talents with backgrounds in countries including Syria\, Iran\, Iraq\, Ethiopia and Mali. \nYasmeen Ghrawi says: “No Direction Home is a space to show up/stand up\, a space to be seen and heard\, a space of celebration. We come from places of varying remoteness to the UK\, some of us fresh off the back of a truck\, others migrated here years ago. We hope to keep sharing the love – and our jokes.” \nShow And Tell is an award-winning production company of live comedy\, with a national and international programme of events. With teams in London and New York\, we seek to play an integral role in the live performance careers of many world-class and emerging talents in both the UK and US. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/no-direction-home-with-rob-delaney-and-michael-akadiri/ LOCATION:Soho Theatre\, 21 Dean St\, London\, W1D 3NE ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/NDH_1-1_NOV-SHOW-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231114T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231114T220000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023059 CREATED:20231005T212707Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000367-1699988400-1699999200@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:In Their Shoes Film Evening (Bristol) DESCRIPTION:Bristol STAR invites you to a screening of Hostile\, a feature-length documentary directed by BAFTA-winning Sonia Gale. \nWhat does it mean to be British? What does it feel like to be told you don’t belong? This compelling and BAFTA-longlisted feature debut explores how the UK’s ‘hostile environment’ policies have affected four people from Black and Asian backgrounds. From archive footage and contemporary testimony we learn about the direct impact of these policies on everyday life. \nAn optional discussion about the documentary will be held after it has been watched. \nAll funds collected will be going towards campaigning against the Illegal Migration Act 2023\, and to protect the rights of local refugees. \nThis screening is in collaboration with the Film Society\, Amnesty Society and International Affairs Society. \nPresented by Counterpoints Arts as part of the Platforma festival 2023 in collaboration with Bristol STAR (Student Action for Refugees). URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/in-their-shoes-film-evening/ LOCATION:Richmond Building\, 105 Queens Road\, Clifton\, BS8 1LN CATEGORIES:Film and Photography,Platforma ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Website-Platforma-Overlay-7-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231117T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231117T203000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023059 CREATED:20231024T161246Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000372-1700245800-1700253000@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Migration\, Climate Justice & The Power of Stories DESCRIPTION:Join us for the next in the series of Counterpoints’ PopChange Salons presented with Climate Spring\, in collaboration with the Southbank Centre. \nFull details and booking \nThis salon explores the intersection of migration and climate justice through the lens of artistic practice and the works of artists and guests who harness the power of storytelling. \nBy bringing into a conversation visionary guests and artists\, it explores approaches that shine a light on new narratives uncovering the intricate connections between migration and environmental justice. \nThroughout\, participants engage in thought-provoking discussions centred on the following critical questions: \nRegenerative language: How can we champion and bring forward a language of inclusivity and hope that recognises the tireless efforts of artists\, activists and policymakers dedicated to equity\, justice\, and decolonization? How do we ensure our language and storytelling reflects the world we are trying to move into\, not just the world we want to move away from? \nWeaving cooperation: What innovative strategies can we foster to bring diverse voices together to nurture cooperation\, collaboration and solidarity? \nClimate displacement: How do we acknowledge and respond to the unique and disproportionate impact of climate change on women\, and on people on the move? \nThis Pop Change Salon is hosted by Lucy Stone\, Founder and Director of Climate Spring\, and Dijana Rakovic\, Senior Producer at Counterpoints Arts. \nAbout Climate Spring \nClimate Spring is a global organisation at the forefront of using the power of the screen to transform how people see and respond to climate change. Launched in 2022 by a collective of leading screen industry and climate experts\, Climate Spring works closely with gatekeepers\, creatives and producers to create content that shifts climate narratives and reaches mainstream audiences. It offers early-stage development funding; advice and guidance from climate experts for writers\, commissioners and producers; and support in moving a project from idea to distribution. By informing\, inspiring and incentivising mainstream content makers to explore climate stories in a more impactful way\, Climate Spring helps transform society’s response to the climate crisis. \nPhoto: House of Weaving Songs by Dhaqan Collective\, at Playable Cities\, Trinity Hall\, Bristol\, July 2023 \n  \nOur Salon panellists are: \n  \nALINAH AZADEH \n  \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Alinah Azadeh\, by Adiam Yemane\n \n \n \n \n \n What You See Now; Crow Link; South Downs\n \n \n\n  \nAlinah Azadeh is a writer\, artist\, performer and cultural activist of British Iranian heritage. Alongside a 30-year arts career\, Azadeh has been published\, most recently in Best British Short Stories 2023 (Salt). As inaugural writer-in-residence at Seven Sisters Country Park and Sussex Heritage Coast 2020-23\, for South Downs National Park\, she led We See You Now\, a decolonial landscape and literature programme for writers of global majority heritage\, exploring the coast through the lens of climate change and justice\, personal migration and belonging. This led to her podcast The Colour of Chalk and We Hear You Now\, an audio series of poetry\, speculative fiction and myth by 9 writers\, installed on Listening Posts across the coast and online\, co-funded by Arts Council England. Alinah is working on writing projects\, including a book proposal on ecological and human loss\, recovery – and letting go. She is also Changing Chalk Associate Artist for The National Trust/Writing Our Legacy. \n@alinahazadeh \n  \nDHAQAN COLLECTIVE \n  \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Dhaqan Collective\, Illustration by Maya Mihindou \n \n \n \n \n \n Camel Meat and Cassette Tapes\, Launch at Arnolfini\, image by Paul Samuel White\n \n \n\n  \nDhaqan Collective is led by Fozia Ismail and Ayan Cilmi. Their practice asks and seeks to find ways of building imaginative futures that support Somali people here and in East Africa to resist the threats over their cultural heritage.  \nDhaqan Collective is a feminist art collective of Somali women\, centering the voices of womxn and elders in our community\, and privileging co-creation and collaboration.  The Collective uses everyday materials\, cassette tapes\, food\, textiles\, to create spaces of communion\, joy and healing that centre the full range of Somali diasporic experiences.  Their creative ecology is rooted in the collective thinking of Somali nomadic life and the creativity at its heart. In the last few decades\, Somali nomadic life has become endangered due to environmental collapse.    \nThe Collective’s previous projects include:  Camel Meat & Tapes part 1 funded by Paul Hamlyn via Arnolfini’s City Fellows programme and part 2 funded by Arts Council England. These projects explored orality\, ancestors\, archives & identity and were co-created with Somali elders and young people in Bristol using cassette tapes to unearth the embodied archives of the Somali community.  Audible Tapestries\, focused on finding new ways to combine sound with physical ‘woven’ artefacts. The project explores the links between Somali nomadic weaving patterns and the songs that are an inherent part of the weaving process.  Dhaqan were responsible for curating the International Festival Day of Co-Creating Change in the Arts at Battersea Arts Centre in November 2021.  They have designed and delivered a range of talks and workshops on their practice for a range of organisations and universities including:    Watershed\, British Library\, the Welcome Collection\, Battersea Arts Centre\, Visual Arts South West\, Bricks Bristol\, Numbi Arts\, London School of Economics\, University of East Anglia and Bermin University.  \nDhaqan Collective’s House of Weaving Song is currently co-commissioned by Counterpoints Arts and Art Reach. \n@dhaqancollective \n  \nGAIA VINCE \n  \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Gaia Vince\, by Phil Fisk\n \n \n \n \n \n Nomad Century book cover\n \n \n\n  \nGaia Vince is an honorary senior research fellow at UCL and a science writer and broadcaster interested in the interplay between humans and the planetary environments. Gaia has held senior editorial posts at Nature and New Scientist\, and her writing has appeared in The Guardian\, The Times and Scientific American. Her research takes her across the world: she has visited more than sixty countries\, has lived in three and is currently based in London. In 2015\, she became the first woman to win the Royal Society Science Book of the Year Prize solo\, for her debut\, Adventures in the Anthropocene. \n@wanderinggaia \n  \nLENA DOBROWOLSKA & TEO ORMOND-SKEAPING \n  \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Lena Bobrowolska\n \n \n \n \n \n Teo Ormond-Skeaping\n \n \n\n  \nLena Dobrowolska & Teo Ormond-Skeaping are a Polish-British artist collaboration working with photography\, documentary and narrative film\, immersive technologies\, and artist research.  \nTheir collaborative practice sees them work on extensive\, interdisciplinary projects exploring the political ecology of the climate crisis\, climate-induced migration\, slow violence\, climate-changed future scenarios\, the governmentality of Loss and Damage under the UNFCCC\, and the cultural critique of the Anthropocene\, which they prefer to call the Capitalocene. \nThe duo are recipients of numerous awards\, including the Art and Citizenship Residency at the Embassy of Foreign Artists (2021)\, the Prix COAL 2019 on Disaster Displacement (2019) and the Culture and Climate Change: Future Scenarios Networked Residency (2016).  \nTheir work has been screened and exhibited internationally at climate change conferences\, galleries\, museums and film festivals\, including Fotodoks\, Munich (2023)\, Futures/Melkweg Expo Amsterdam (2022)\, The Noorderlicht Festival of Photography (2019)\, Kunst Haus Wien: Museum Hundertwasser (2019)\, Krakow Photomonth (2019)\, and UNFCCC COP25 (2019).  \nIn addition to their artistic practice\, Lena is a PhD Researcher at the Digital Cultures Research Centre\, UWE Bristol\, a Research Associate with Culture and Climate Change at the School of Architecture\, University of Sheffield and lectures in MA Digital Direction at the Royal College of Art.  \nTeo works to coordinate the Loss and Damage Collaboration’s (L&DC) Advocacy and Outreach and Communications programs as well as co-coordinating their Human Mobility and Displacement and non-economic loss and damage working groups.  \nTogether\, they run the L&DC’s Art and Culture program “Ways of Repair: Loss and Damage” which is aimed at facilitating a transdisciplinary exchange around the issue of loss and damage caused by the climate crisis. \n@lena_dobrowolska \n@teoormondskeaping URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/migration-climate-justice-the-power-of-stories/ LOCATION:Southbank Centre\, Belvedere Road\, London\, SE1 8XX CATEGORIES:Pop Culture,Sustainability & Climate Justice ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1-house-of-weaving-songs-by-dhaqan-collective-at-playable-cities-trinity-hall-bristol-july-copy.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231124T183000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231124T210000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20231024T142904Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000371-1700850600-1700859600@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Dirty\, Difficult\, Dangerous + Q&A DESCRIPTION:Screened with short film Aziza (Dir: Soudade Kaadan) \nBeirut\, Lebanon. Ahmed\, a Syrian refugee\, and Mehdia\, an Ethiopian migrant domestic worker\, are living an impossible love. While Mehdia tries to free herself from her employers\, Ahmed struggles to survive by dealing in second-hand metal scraps\, all while being affected by a mysterious disease that is turning his body slowly into metal. This charming film\, reminiscent of Kaurismaki\, tackles heavy issues of modern slavery\, forced migration\, and prejudice with a deft and humorous touch. \nScreened as part of the London Migration Film Festival in collaboration with Counterpoints Arts and Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image (BIMI) \nDir: Wissam Charaf | Length: 1h 23m \nPlus Q&A with Soudade Kaadan \nBirkbeck Institute for the Moving Image | 6.30pm | Tickets (free; booking required) URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/dirty-difficult-dangerous-qa/ CATEGORIES:Film and Photography ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1380247_dirtydifficultdangerous1_208227_crop.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231127T103000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231127T170000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20231215T124923Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000378-1701081000-1701104400@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:London Creative Health City: Building It Together DESCRIPTION:Counterpoints is delighted to be one of the contributors to an event produced by London Arts and Health where we will share the findings from our recent report Arts\, Refugees and Mental Health. \nEvent text: \nCulture has a significant impact on people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing. Through a multitude of organisations\, practitioners\, artists\, creative health workers\, social prescribers\, allied health professionals\, ICS systems and more we see health and culture working together to address health needs across the UK’s capital city. \nHowever\, for too many Londoners these activities are out of reach. \nOn the 27th November we invite everyone interested in the intersections of health and culture to come together to take part in a day of exchange and reflection\, boundary pushing and action planning. Together\, we will imagine London as a Creative Health capital city\, laying the building blocks to see it become reality. \nAn initiative developed and funded by the Mayor of London and Arts Council England\, delivered in partnership with London Arts and Health. \nFull details and booking URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/london-creative-health-city-building-it-together/ CATEGORIES:Learning,Mental Health ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CH-City-Unconference-Social-Media-1024x1024-1-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231202T133000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231203T131000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20231115T232547Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000384-1701523800-1701609000@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:BETHLEHEM CULTURAL FESTIVAL – PALESTINIAN SHORTS (18) DESCRIPTION:The Bethlehem Cultural Festival and The Arab Film Club present an afternoon of Palestinian short films. Supported by Counterpoints Arts\, and: \n2nd December @ The Garden Cinema in London\, 1.30 to 2.40pm – booking link \n3rd December @ Glasgow Film Theatre in Glasgow\, from 12pm – booking link \n*Ahmed Najar\, an actor and writer from Gaza\, will be introducing this screening at the Garden Cinema\, London. \nThe programme includes : \n– “Said The Dove To The Olive Tree” (13 mins) by Amira Al Shanti. \n– “Ave Maria” (15 mins) by Oscar nominated filmmaker Basil Khalil. \n– “The Parrot” (18 mins) by Darin J. Sallam of Farha fame. \n– “Roof Knocking” (12 mins) by Sina Salimi. \n– TBC \nThese films demonstrate how the Palestinian people\, in spite of ever-increasing restrictions and oppressions\, discover new and inventive ways to elevate themselves from the confines of their situation\, to tell their stories and raise their voice. The films are a reminder never to underestimate the power of film and that Palestine is not a hopeless cause. The spirit\, resilience and steadfastness of the people shines through in all of these films\, each in a different\, unique way. \nBethlehem Cultural Festival is a registered charity run by volunteers. Proceeds from this event will be donated to Medical Aid for Palestinians. \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ave Maria by Basil Khalil\n \n \n \n \n \n Ave Maria by Basil Khalil\n \n \n \n \n \n Ave Maria by Basil Khalil\n \n \n \n \n \n Ave Maria by Basil Khalil\n \n \n \n \n \n Said The Dove To The Olive Tree by Amira Al Shanti\n \n \n \n \n \n Said The Dove To The Olive Tree by Amira Al Shanti\n \n \n \n \n \n Said The Dove To The Olive Tree by Amira Al Shanti\n \n \n \n \n \n The Parrot by Darin J. Sallam & Amjed Rashid\n \n \n \n \n \n The Parrot by Darin J. Sallam & Amjed Rashid\n \n \n \n \n \n The Parrot by Darin J. Sallam & Amjed Rashid\n \n \n \n \n \n The Parrot by Darin J. Sallam & Amjed Rashid\n \n \n \n \n \n Roof Knocking by Sina Salimi\n \n \n\n  URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/bethlehem-cultural-festival-palestinian-shorts-18/ CATEGORIES:Film and Photography ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1397693.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231211T211500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231211T221500 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20231215T143534Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000387-1702329300-1702332900@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:No Direction Home with Shaparak Khorsandi DESCRIPTION:The latest show in our  season at Soho Theatre will be hosted by Sarah Keyworth with guest headliner Shaparak Khorsandi. \nBook Tickets \nPresented by Show And Tell with Counterpoints Arts\, the gigs feature line-ups of new voices from refugee and migrant backgrounds alongside some of the biggest names in British comedy. \nNo Direction Home was established by Counterpoints Arts with Camden People’s Theatre and top stand-up Tom Parry\, who has mentored the group. \nThey have already won over audiences in a variety of venues in London and around the country\, and have now secured their second West End run. \nTV comic and stand-up Nish Kumar\, says: “The No Direction Home comedians are a very exciting\, interesting and creative bunch of people to be around. And they are very funny. The material is really good.” \nNo Direction Home performers are new talents with backgrounds in countries including Syria\, Iran\, Iraq\, Ethiopia and Mali. \nYasmeen Ghrawi says: “No Direction Home is a space to show up/stand up\, a space to be seen and heard\, a space of celebration. We come from places of varying remoteness to the UK\, some of us fresh off the back of a truck\, others migrated here years ago. We hope to keep sharing the love – and our jokes.” \nShow And Tell is an award-winning production company of live comedy\, with a national and international programme of events. With teams in London and New York\, we seek to play an integral role in the live performance careers of many world-class and emerging talents in both the UK and US. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/no-direction-home-with-shaparak-khorsandi/ LOCATION:Soho Theatre\, 21 Dean St\, London\, W1D 3NE CATEGORIES:Comedy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/NDH_RPF_270619-7-small.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20231212T110000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20231212T130000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20231215T143306Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000386-1702378800-1702386000@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:'Arts\, Refugees and Mental Health' Roundtable DESCRIPTION:A free online roundtable\, designed and delivered by Counterpoints Arts\, exploring the arts\, refugees and mental health.\nFree registration \nFlourishing Lives and the Anti-Racist Action Group in Arts & Wellbeing invite you to our latest free online workshop exploring anti-racist action and inclusive practice in arts & wellbeing services. \nWe are delighted to be working in partnership with Counterpoints Arts on this roundtable and are immensely grateful to Tom Green\, Daniela Nofal and Lara Deffense from Counterpoints for designing and facilitating the session. \nIn this session we will: \n\nHear insights from people about their lived experience of seeking asylum in the UK\nExplore the arts\, refugees and mental health\nShare case studies that include a range of different approaches\nConsider some of the common themes that emerge\nSet out some of the challenges and opportunities in this work\nShare reflections and connections to your work\nExplore anti-racist actions that you can implement in your work\n\nJoin us to share ideas and advocate for inclusive practice and anti-racist action across the arts and wellbeing sector. \nAbout The Anti-Racist Action Group in Arts & Wellbeing: \nThe Anti-Racist Action Group in Arts & Wellbeing is a group of representatives from arts\, wellbeing and race equality charities – including Flourishing Lives\, HEAR Network\, Race Equality Foundation\, Decolonising the Archive\, and Southwark Culture Health and Wellbeing Partnership – who partner with ethnically and culturally diverse organisations\, facilitators\, community groups\, participants and people to share their knowledge\, expertise\, learning and lived experience to support the wider arts and wellbeing sector to explore anti-racist action\, and develop wider engagement in the arts and mental health. The aim is to facilitate conversations\, deepen understanding and identify opportunities for change. \nThis discussion is part of an ongoing series of workshops and roundtables kindly funded by The National Lottery Community Fund which will support Flourishing Lives and the Anti-Racist Action Group to explore a range of topics\, issues and anti-racist actions over the next 2 years to help advocate for inclusive practice across the arts and wellbeing sector. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/arts-refugees-and-mental-health-roundtable/ CATEGORIES:Learning,Mental Health ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/ARAG-Arts-Refugees-and-Mental-health-v2.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240125T163000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240125T180000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240105T085638Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000388-1706200200-1706205600@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Cross-Border Networking (online) DESCRIPTION:Cross-border networking hosted by Sisters Working in Film & Television\, South Africa\, and ScreenCraft Works\, with Counterpoints Arts \nJoin us for this virtual event to bring together talent from different countries to stimulate new collaborations and for peer-to-peer networking. \nSign up here. \nScreenCraft Works is an international community of cross-border mentoring\, talks and networking\, supporting under-represented production and post talent working in film & TV. Our mission is to support international under-represented craft talent to further their careers across borders. \nSisters Working in Film & Television (SWIFT) is a non-profit organisation committed to championing empowerment and access to equal opportunities for women in a previously male-dominated industry\, by advocating for change from the historical imbalances and a legacy that discriminated against women in South Africa. SWIFT advocates for gender parity and intersectionality\, across the audio-visual sector and content production ecosystem. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/cross-border-networking-online/ CATEGORIES:Pop Culture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Cross-Border-Networking-for-SWIFT-ScreenCraft-Works_resized-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240204T160000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240204T180000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240124T163011Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000395-1707062400-1707069600@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:432 NO-MAD'S x Counterpoints DESCRIPTION:Join us at Aspex Portsmouth for an afternoon of poetry performances followed by a panel discussion supporting refugees and asylum seekers focused under the theme of ‘progression’. \nPerformers include: Jackson Davies\, Addy\, DarkStarGraver and Seema. \nThis event is a partnership project between Counterpoints Arts and art collective 432 NO-MAD’S. \nBooking link URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/432-no-mads-x-counterpoints/ LOCATION:Aspex Gallery\, The Vulcan Building Gunwharf Quays\, Portsmouth\, PO1 3BF\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Learning,Literature & Spoken Word ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/https___cdn.evbuc_.com_images_673836869_36684856936_1_original.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240211T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240211T203000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240108T121214Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000389-1707678000-1707683400@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Footnote x Counterpoints Writing Prize Readings DESCRIPTION:Sabrin Hasbun\, Dariia Lysiuk\, Roxana Shirazi\, Steve Tasane and Simon Weisz have been shortlisted for the inaugural Footnote x Counterpoints Writing Prize\, for writers from refugee or migrant backgrounds. \nThe five shortlisted authors will read and discuss their work at a live event hosted by the Southbank Centre on 11th February as part of the literature spring season 2024. The event will be chaired by poet and performer Arji Manuelpillai. \nThe writers will reflect on themes of displacement\, identity and resistance both in their selected works and more broadly \nHasbun is in the running with Wait For Her and Lysiuk is shortlisted for Notes of a Guilty Survivor. Shirazi’s Dead Iranian Girl and Tasane’s Spitting Bricks are also on the shortlist\, alongside Weisz’s Resolution. \nThe £15\,000 prize was set up to showcase and celebrate exceptional non-fiction writers from refugee and migrant backgrounds\, and to shine a new light on some of the most pertinent topics shaping our lives and society. \nThe winner and two runners-up will be announced in March\, selected by a judging panel comprising celebrated writers Elif Shafak\, Philippe Sands and Dina Nayeri. \nBook tickets now URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/footnote-x-counterpoints-writing-prize-readings/ LOCATION:Southbank Centre\, Belvedere Road\, London\, SE1 8XX CATEGORIES:Literature & Spoken Word ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/counterpoints-writing-prize-readings.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240216T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240216T220000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240121T163816Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000394-1708110000-1708120800@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Orchestra of Samples by Addictive TV (Bristol) DESCRIPTION:Orchestra of Samples by Addictive TV present an audiovisual global music show with guest Alphonse Daudet Touna. \nThis is a delayed event from the June 2023 Bristol Refugee Festival. \nEthno-sampling mavericks Addictive TV bring their global music project Orchestra of Samples to Bristol. Described as “ingenious and compelling” by The Times\, the acclaimed live performance is a unique musical journey without borders\, taking in Senegal\, Kazakhstan\, Indonesia\, Colombia\, Brazil\, India and many more\, connecting cultures and bringing together instruments\, from traditional and rare to the newly invented. \nWith their project\, Addictive TV filmed recording sessions around the world\, for over a decade\, with hundreds of musicians improvising; then sampled them all\, splicing instruments together to create new music of extraordinary fusions. Joining on stage live\, will be Bristol-based multi-instrumentalist Alphonse Daudet Touna from Cameroon. \nImmerse yourself in mesmerising rhythmic dialogues and discover instruments you never knew existed! \n“A glimpse into the very essence of music” – Cultured Vultures\n“Addictive TV create the perfect integration of audio and visual technologies in their thrilling live show” – HuffPost \nSupport act is the Bristol Griot (David Mowat and Moussa Kouyate)\nhttps://www.facebook.com/p/The-Bristol-Griot-100069058014190/ \nIf you are an asylum seeker\, and would like to come\, please email info@bristolrefugeefestival.org for guest list places. \nAny profits made from the show will go to Bristol Refugee Festival\, so we can keep putting on wonderful events like these\, and supporting refugees and asylum seekers in our communities. \nPresented in association with LARA and Platforma Festival/Counterpoints Arts URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/orchestra-of-samples-by-addictive-tv-bristol/ LOCATION:Strange Brew\, 10-12 Fairfax St\, Bristol\, BS1 3DB\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/orchestra-samples.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240217T193000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240616T203000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240114T162549Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144535Z UID:10000390-1708198200-1718569800@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Mohand & Peter on tour DESCRIPTION:We’re delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with PSYCHEdelight theatre company in support of the national tour of their latest play Mohand & Peter\, recently seen at our Platforma festival.\nA backflip in time\, a quick hop back home: with humour and visual poetry Mohand & Peter will take you on a road trip through Sudan. The two brave clowns bounce on one of the toughest international news of the decade and fight horror with laughter to build a magnificent pedestal for Mohand’s home country. \n“Every day for the past 5 years since we created Borderline\, I witnessed how much my cast miss their homes. I saw pictures of beautiful lakes\, mountains\, and ancient buildings; Videos of family gatherings\, birthdays\, and silly cats. I Facetimed brothers\, sisters\, but also nieces and nephews. Those kids that we spoil at weekends but that the people I work with have never held in their arms because they are not allowed to go back. Not for a wedding\, not for a funeral\, never. Their country is not just a war zone or a Talibans’ nest\, it’s their homes. With Mohand & Peter\, we aim to celebrate them.” \nSophie Bertrand Besse\, Director \nThe Star Sheffield ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: “Magical and magnificent show. Charming\, funny and clever.” ​ \nCentre Stage Reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: “Tonight I laughed\, I learnt\, I travelled.” ​ \nEverything Theatre ⭐⭐⭐⭐: “A glorious celebration of Sudan\, and the magic of friendship across cultures” ​ \nThere Ought to Be Clowns: “Beautiful in both its poetic and physical language\, Mohand & Peter is a triumph”. ​ \nTOUR DATES\n17 Feb – Old Fire Station – (OXFORD) \n23 Feb – Portesham (DORSET) \n24 Feb – Hallstock (DORSET) \n28-29 Feb – The Cockpit (LONDON) \n2 March – Northern Stage (NEWCASTLE) \n6-7 March – Manchester University \n13 June – Home (MANCHESTER) \n14 June – Home (MANCHESTER) \n15 June – MAC (BIRMINGHAM) \n16 June – MAC (BIRMINGHAM) URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/mohand-peter-2/ CATEGORIES:Theatre ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/landscape-quotes.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240304T213000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240304T223000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240209T132555Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000397-1709587800-1709591400@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:No Direction Home @ Soho Theatre DESCRIPTION:Join us for a new run of our brilliant stand-up comedy collaboration with Show & Tell and Soho Theatre\, starting with a  gig headlined by Sophie Duker\, hosted by Fatiha El-Ghorri and featuring No Direction Home comedians Teddy and Selam Amare. \nCounterpoints Arts runs No Direction Home\, a project for new comics from refugee and migrant backgrounds\, featuring workshops\, expert tuition and gigs around the country. Created in partnership with Camden People’s Theatre and comedian Tom Parry. Previous shows have featured headliners such as Romesh Ranganathan\, Nish Kumar\, Joel Dommett\, Lou Sanders\, Suzi Ruffell and more. \n \nSelam Amare is a cultural producer\, comedian\, and advocate of migrant issues in London. She joined No Direction Home in 2019 and has since worked with Counterpoints Arts\, producing part of No Direction Home standup comedy event series. One of Selam’s projects is Azmari Bet\, she is passionate about platforming her native Ethiopian culture by promoting Ethiopian music styles\, artists\, food\, and dance. \n \nTeddy is an actor\, poet\, and comedian. He was part of the first No Direction Home cohort and has performed at venues including Camden People’s Theatre and Southbank Centre. Teddy engages with Phosphoros Theatre\, leads workshops for refugee youth\, and collaborates with education and mental health professionals. He’s a prolific poet\, performing at Ethiopian community events. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/no-direction-home-soho-theatre-2/ LOCATION:Soho Theatre\, 21 Dean St\, London\, W1D 3NE CATEGORIES:Comedy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NDH_MARCH_SOPHIE-DUKER_1000x500.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240306T170000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240310T180000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240214T215522Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144536Z UID:10000398-1709744400-1710093600@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:We're Exhibiting At Affordable Art Fair DESCRIPTION:Counterpoints Arts is the official Charity Partner for Affordable Art Fair Battersea Spring\, running from 6 – 10 March. Visitors to the fair will be able to support us in a number of ways; whether that’s buying an artwork from our stand (B11) or donating when purchasing tickets at affordableartfair.com \nWe will be exhibiting and selling work by four artists from our network: Maryam Hashemi\, Ghafar Tajmohammad\, Nima Javan and Farida Yesmin at Stand B11 so please come say hi!  \nAll proceeds of artwork sales go to the artists\, and Counterpoints also benefits from donations made by people booking tickets. \nAffordable Art Fair’s major spring edition in London’s Battersea Park brings together the best in affordable contemporary art from over 100 leading galleries worldwide\, alongside special exhibitions celebrating International Women’s Day and interior trends for 2024\, including the Pantone Colour of the Year: Peach Fuzz. Discover a brand new installation by Argentinian artist Alejandro Propato\, colourful pieces from campaign artist Lawrie Hutcheon\, and 1\,000s of fresh artworks in all styles and mediums. \nBook your tickets here \nWe also have a limited number of VIP tickets (£30 each) and all ticket proceeds will go to Counterpoints Arts as charity partner for the fair. Please email us on hello@counterpoints.org.uk if you would like to purchase one. \nAbout the artists \nFarida Yesmin is a Bangladeshi artist\, now based in Folkestone Kent. She makes work across performance\, socially engaged practice\, video\, photography and drawing. Through her art\, Farida engages with the cultural expectations and ideological restrictions that confront her as a woman\, as an artist and as an immigrant. \nGhafar Tajmohammad reflects on home\, belonging\, and relocation within the Afghan diaspora community in the UK. Drawing upon his own lived experience as a British Afghan\, whose family was displaced during the 1997 civil war in Afghanistan\, he works primarily in the field of painting and\, more recently\, as a rug weaver. \nMaryam Sandjari Hashemi was born in Birmingham\, UK\, and raised in Iran. Drawing has been a passion of hers since early childhood\, with unwavering support from her family. Since 2018\, Maryam has been painting live alongside musicians at various venues\, introducing a new dimension to her art. This innovative approach incorporates dance and movement\, resulting in dynamic and unpredictable outcomes that infuse her work with energy and excitement. \nNima Javan was born in Iran and is now based in London. His personal work is concerned with creatures and animals that have been identified in a new world with issues concerning life and human resistance. He depicts the Eastern world (Persian miniatures and carpets) as childhood memories in the form of animal characters in a modern and technological space. \n  \nImage © Horniman Museum URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/were-exhibiting-at-the-affordable-art-fair/ LOCATION:Counterpoints Arts\, Stand B11\, Affordable Art Fair\, Battersea Evolution\, Chelsea Bridge Gate Entrance\,\, Stand B11\, Affordable Art Fair\, Battersea Evolution\, Chelsea Bridge Gate Entrance\, Battersea Park\, London\, SW8 4NW CATEGORIES:Visual Arts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/MCH_1VA0990-Counterpoints-RW2022-256-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240313T134500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240313T144500 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240116T142636Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144535Z UID:10000392-1710337500-1710341100@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Publishing into the Hostile Environment DESCRIPTION:This event is organised in collaboration with English Pen\, as part of the London Book Fair. \nAnti-immigration rhetoric is pervasive across all sectors of British society. This panel will discuss this ‘hostile environment’ and how its policies impact writers and creatives from refugee and migrant backgrounds\, how publishers can best support their writers and staff\, and how the books they commission and publish can better represent and platform the diversity of stories and voices. \nThe panel features writers Dina Nayeri and Awet Fissehaye\, and Vidisha Biswas from Footnote Press. The conversation is chaired by our co-chair\, Naima Khan. \nRead more here. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/publishing-into-the-hostile-environment/ LOCATION:London Book Fair\, Olympia London\, London\, W14 8UX\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Learning,Literature & Spoken Word ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/IMG_5337.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240316T160000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240316T183000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240301T131708Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144535Z UID:10000399-1710604800-1710613800@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Colette and Justin DESCRIPTION:Join us for a free afternoon screening of the film Colette and Justin\, followed by a discussion and Q&A with the filmmaker reflecting on the films themes. \nColette and Justin is an evocative\, poetic and thoughtful meditation on the intersection of political and family history\, and the multi-generational destructive reach of colonialism. \nFilm duration: 88mins \nBook your free tickets here \nThis debut film by Alain Kassanda starts off as a process of self-examination: How well does he really know his grandparents? How true are his ideas about his birth country DR Congo\, whose national identity was partly moulded by the Belgian colonisers? And\, by extension\, how much does he know about himself? In Colette et Justin\, Kassanda travels through time and his own past\, in the process bringing postcolonial Congo to evocative life. \nHe gets his grandfather Justin and grandmother Colette to reflect on their lives\, from their youth to their first encounter with a complex political period. The first years following Congo’s independence pass by in the form of a richly layered history that intertwines good and evil\, and in which Justin is destined to have an important role. The deep imprints left by colonialism are a constant presence. \nKassanda successfully re-casts major political developments in the context of an intimate family film\, with lively archive footage\, the director’s own enriching memories and curiosity\, as well as a poetic voice-over. \nYou can watch the trailer here. \nBorn in Kinshasa\, Alain Kassanda left the DRC for France at the age of 11. After studying communication\, he has been staging cycles of movie showings in various Parisian theaters. He then became the programmer of an art house cinema for five years\, in the suburbs of Paris\, before moving to Ibadan\, in southwestern Nigeria\, from 2015 to 2019. \nThere he directed Trouble Sleep\, a medium-length film centered on the road\, depicted from the perspectives of a taxi driver and a tax collector. The film received the Golden Dove for best film at the Dok Leipzig festival in 2020 and the special mention of the jury at the Visions du réel festival. This was followed by Colette and Justin\, a feature film intertwining his family history and the history of the decolonization of the Congo. The film was part of the international competition at Idfa in 2022. Coconut Head Generation is his third film. \nPopChange \nPopChange (Pop Culture & Social Change) is a pioneering initiative led by Counterpoints Arts exploring how the power of pop culture can be harnessed for social change in order to shift the way we talk\, think and feel about migration and displacement in the UK. Together with a network of cultural innovators\, creators\, producers\, funders and activists\, we are championing new ideas and cross-sector collaborations. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/colette-and-justin/ LOCATION:Birkbeck Cinema\, 43 Gordon Square\, London\, WC1H 0PD CATEGORIES:Film and Photography,Pop Culture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/colette.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240328T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240328T190000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240116T124719Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144535Z UID:10000391-1711652400-1711652400@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Who has the Right to Speak and Act in the Public Space? DESCRIPTION:Who has the right to speak and act in public space? \nReflecting on a series of public artworks commissioned by Counterpoints Arts in Greece\, the artists Tamara Al Mashouk\, Eirini Linardaki and Adrian Paci engage in a conversation with the co-curators Almir Koldzic and Niovi Zarampouka-Chatzimanou. The artists and curators share insights and experiences relating to the process of artistic practice in the public space; community engagement; implications of the lack of transparent public art policy and strategy; and the social and political reactions generated when contemporary art comes into the urban landscape.  \nThis conversation will also reflect on the questions arising through the public programme that accompanied the commissions. Why is it so difficult to negotiate an artwork’s right to exist? What are the artistic and curatorial responsibilities\, and do we need a public policy for the arts in Greece?  \nAbout Niovi Zarampouka-Chatzimanou \nNiovi Zarampouka-Chatzimanou\, is an independent curator and Co-Director of Counterpoints Arts in Greece\, working on socially and politically engaged art projects relating to themes like national identity\, citizenship\, memory and reclaiming public space. Her curatorial work revolves around the question “Who is the Contemporary Athenian?”\, a project that she initiated as the Director of Victoria Square Project in Athens.   \nAbout Adrian Paci \nAdrian Paci was born in Shkodër\, Albania in 1969. Paci lives and works between Milan and Shkodër. Using his own experience of immigration from Albania to Italy\, and stories of family and friends\, Paci addresses issues such as exile\, identity\, memory and collective history. Paci’s body of work looks back on those tumultuous times\, addressing the radical political shifts of his homeland as it transitioned away from communism to a chaotic free market economy and his subsequent experiences as an artist in exile.   \nAbout Eirini Linardaki \nEirini Linardaki is a visual artist based in New York and Crete. Linardaki is also known for her community-based art projects\, particularly through workshops on accessibility and multiculturalism in several different countries like Liberia and France\, where she lived for more than 20 years. In 2019\, she initiated the “Occupy Art Project\,” a collaborative art research group that involves artists and curators from the US\, France and Greece. Linardaki’s activist work was recognised with the Sing For Hope Artivist Award in 2022. She is mother to two children.   \nAbout Tamara Al-Mashouk \nTamara Al-Mashouk is a London based Palestinian/Saudi artist and organizer. Through multi-channel video\, performance\, and architectural installation\, her work negotiates the relationship between home (both physical and metaphysical); the movement of people across societal and geographic borders; and memory\, with specific focus on the expansion of epigenetics beyond the body into place and matter. As a socially engaged practitioner in her organisational capacity\, she has been producing events for the past ten years. These have included: a BLM poetry night where the stage was the roof of a boat\, a fundraiser for the Lebanese thawra\, and most recently\, gatherings that feature food\, poetry\, music and discussion and carve vital space for connection within the diasporic Arabic communities in London.  \nReserve a spot at this event here. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/who-has-the-right-to-speak-and-act-in-the-public-space/ LOCATION:Hellenic Centre\, 16-18 Paddington Street\, London\, W1U 5AS CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Learning ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/fokneg_day2_drone4.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240411T150000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240411T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240403T165004Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240724T090638Z UID:10000405-1712847600-1712851200@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Representation in Video Games DESCRIPTION:Counterpoints Arts will be talking about video games and representation of POC as part of the Now Play This festival 2024 at Somerset House \nIn the rapidly changing world of entertainment\, video games stand out for their influence and potential\, yet they often reflect the same outdated representations of people of colour as seen in films\, TV\, and other media. \nThis talk will aim to dissect the layers of representation in video games\, identify the issues with such portrayals\, and explore pathways towards a more inclusive and truthful gaming ecosystem. \nNow Play This returns for its tenth anniversary this spring as a celebration of experimental game design at Somerset House in London. This year’s theme\, “Liminality\,” promises engaging play\, workshops\, and events. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/representation-in-video-games/ LOCATION:Somerset House\, Strand\, London\, WC2R 1LA\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Digital,Gaming,Pop Culture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Screen-Shot-2024-04-03-at-17.45.06.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240415T213000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240415T223000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240304T143021Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144535Z UID:10000400-1713216600-1713220200@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:No Direction Home featuring Sara Pascoe DESCRIPTION:Join us for the latest gig in our brilliant stand-up comedy collaboration with Show & Tell and Soho Theatre\, headlined by Sara Pascoe\, hosted by Laura Smyth and featuring two No Direction Home comedians (tbc) \nCounterpoints Arts runs No Direction Home\, a project for new comics from refugee and migrant backgrounds\, featuring workshops\, expert tuition and gigs around the country. Created in partnership with Camden People’s Theatre and comedian Tom Parry. Previous shows have featured headliners such as Sindhu Vee\, Nish Kumar\, Rosie Jones and Romesh Ranganathan. \nFull details and booking: https://sohotheatre.com/events/no-direction-home-3/ \nhttps://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/NDH-Second-Vox-Pops.mp4\n  URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/no-direction-home-featuring-sara-pascoe/ LOCATION:Soho Theatre\, 21 Dean St\, London\, W1D 3NE CATEGORIES:Comedy ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/SaraPascoe.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240418T100000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240504T160000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240313T200433Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144535Z UID:10000403-1713434400-1714838400@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Voice Notes at New Art Exchange DESCRIPTION:Voice Notes is an international art project exploring the role of the telephone in experiences of exile. Featuring recorded phone calls left by young refugees and asylum seekers from around the world\, the exhibition investigates displaced voices\, creative networks\, transnational communication\, and different modes of talking and listening across cultures. \nThis exhibition has been co-created with young people who have fled war\, violence\, conflict and persecution and yet who continue to offer stories of solidarity and hope. At the heart of the installation are multidirectional ultrasonic speakers that are positioned to create a network of intersecting telephone messages. As visitors move around the gallery\, they tap into stories of home and belonging\, landscape and loss\, and communication and connection. In turn\, visitors are invited to shape new ways of thinking about sanctuary by contributing their own voice notes as part of our evolving telephonic soundscape. \nPresented by New Arts Exchange\, Voice Notes is led by poet Dr Sarah Jackson\, Associate Professor in Modern and Contemporary Writing at Nottingham Trent University\, in collaboration with acclaimed sound artist and founder of the Space21 international festival Hardi Kurda\, and refugee arts organisation Compass Collective\, whose recent work includes the award-winning professional development arts programme Next Steps. The project is supported by international partners\, including New Art Exchange\, Counterpoints Arts\, Refugee Roots\, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature\, Slemani UNESCO Cities of Literature and STEP. It is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/voice-notes-at-new-art-exchange/ LOCATION:New Art Exchange\, 39-41 Gregory Boulevard\, Nottingham\, 6BE UK\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Literature & Spoken Word ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Voice-Notes-e1710360384958.webp END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240430T174500 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240430T210000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240321T074625Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144535Z UID:10000404-1714499100-1714510800@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Makers & Creators 2024 Showcase DESCRIPTION:TERN & Counterpoints Arts are delighted to invite you to witness the launch of more than a dozen new refugee-led ventures into London’s arts & creative sectors! Expect an evening of inspiration\, connection\, and celebration as a new wave of creative founders pitch their businesses and showcase their work. \nJoin fellow creative industry professionals and art lovers to support these emerging creatives by sharing your valuable feedback\, ideas\, and opportunities. \nRegister for a free ticket via Eventbrite \nEntrepreneurs will pitch\, display and demo their offerings in the following categories: \nEvents & Performance\, including Olena Nesterenko\, mind-blowing bubble artist & founder of L Show\, and Racqueline Changunda\, balloon garland stylist and founder of Meracqui Events. \nFashion & Products\, including Anil Qasemi\, activist\, writer\, and founder of wonderful hat retailer Hatopia\, and Oksana & Oleksii Chauin\, founders of Light Craft Family\, a range of lovely oak LED nightlights manufactured in Ukraine and assembled by hand\, with love\, here in London. \nCreative Communities\, including Ravi Rasaiah\, founder of Payanam and creator of a new photography course for refugees & asylum-seeking artists\, and Khrystyna Oryschak\, curator behind print shop Artists Against War. \nFine Arts\, including painter Karina Kucherenko\, and multimedia artist Mariia Besuza. \nCounterpoints are working alongside curator & TERN Alumni Tasala Seifi\, to design a one-off exhibition showcasing original pieces by the fine artists. \nEnjoy refreshments & live entertainment alongside the art\, products\, and pitches. \nTERN’s Makers & Creators is the UK’s first creative sector incubator for refugee artists\, designers and makers. Over 5 immersive months\, programme members develop their business\, venture or brand. Starting with creating a roadmap to launch\, cohort members build assets\, develop their stories\, and access targeted business support and opportunities that can lead to a sustainable creative career. The programme culminates with the Showcase event\, where entrepreneurs pitch & demo their offerings to the public. \nMakers & Creators is offered by TERN – The Entrepreneurial Refugee Network. TERN is an ambitious social enterprise on a mission to enable refugees to thrive through the power of their own ideas. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/makers-creators-2024-showcase/ LOCATION:Museum of the Home\, 136 Kingsland Road\, London\, E2 8EA\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Craft & Design,Visual Arts ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Makers-Creators-Showcase-Eventbrite-Banner-2024-3.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240505T123000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240505T190000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240424T223854Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144535Z UID:10000411-1714912200-1714935600@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Hip Hop Garden at Alkebulan - African Storytelling DESCRIPTION:Using hip hop and permaculture values\, this interactive workshop will explore environmentalism\, songwriting and performance.\n\nJoin MoYah and KMT Freedom Teacher for this free taster session that is part of a wider programme covering wellbeing\, food growing and cooking\, enterprise and employability\, event management\, social movement and green structures.\n\nMoYah and KMT Freedom Teacher will perform after the workshop\, 15:00-17:00\, and participants who feel ready to take the stage will also have a chance to share their work. \n\nBorn in Mozambique during a 16-year war\, MoYah was forced to flee his country as a political refugee & move to Lisbon at a young age. Inspired by his parents broad musical taste & the impact of Rap music whilst living in Portugal\, he quickly learned that music could be used not only for entertainment but also as a powerful tool for self exploration & social expression eventually leading him to writing raps that addressed issues relating to identity\, social injustices & spirituality from the perspective of a child of the African Diaspora. \n\nKMT Freedom Teacher KMT combines his love for music and nature\, grounded in a deep respect for the beauty and abundance of Pachamama (Mother Earth). With over 20 years of leading positive social change and raising awareness for a multitude of social issues through the powerful words and rhythms of Hip Hop music\, KMT demonstrates a non-exhaustive passion for the environment and conservation. His goal is to entertain and educate\, as he addresses issues of global food security\, providing solutions for local food growing systems. \nThis event is part of DIASPORA! \nDIASPORA! festival is a vibrant celebration of people\, music\, film\, poetry\, dance\, storytelling\, and more\, taking place at venues across the city on the Early May Bank Holiday weekend. These events aim to reflect the variety of talent within the region’s cultural communities. \n\n\n\nPart of Counterpoints’ networking in South West.\n\nRegister HERE. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/hip-hop-garden-at-alkebulan-african-storytelling/ LOCATION:The Trinity Centre\, Trinity Rd\, Bristol\, BS2 0NW CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Sustainability & Climate Justice ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/e107950_i197650_s4.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240520T190000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240520T190000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240514T101611Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144535Z UID:10000415-1716231600-1716231600@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:BAFTA Masterclass: Representations of Migrants and Refugees in documentaries DESCRIPTION:Join us for a masterclass in collaboration with BAFTA as we explore the representation of migrants and refugees in documentaries. You can buy tickets (£10) after signing up for a free BAFTA account by visiting the BAFTA events page here. \nStep into the world of impactful storytelling and the art of capturing truthful refugee experiences on film. Led by documentary filmmakers\, learn the delicate balance between authenticity and empathy as we explore the nuances of representation. Discover powerful framing techniques that elevate narratives\, shedding light on the resilience and humanity within refugee communities.  \nFrom ethical considerations to creative approaches\, this masterclass aims to demonstrate the tools to craft compelling and dignified portrayals. Whether you’re a seasoned filmmaker or an aspiring documentarian\, join us as we amplify voices\, challenge perceptions\, and drive positive change. \nThis will be followed by an opportunity to network with refugee and asylum seeker creatives and filmmakers. \nPanelists:\nSarah Agha\, actor and presenter (The Holy Land and Us – Our Untold Stories\, BBC)\nBeyan Taher\, producer (Name Me Lawand) \nMore speakers to be announced. \nThis event is the latest instalment of a series of events exploring the importance of authentic storytelling of refugees onscreen\, and the positive impact of collaboration with creatives who have lived experience of migration\, in order to build narrative power and create social change. \n  \nThis event will be captioned. The panel discussion with be live-captioned. URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/bafta-masterclass-representations-of-migrants-and-refugees-in-documentaries/ LOCATION:BAFTA\, 195 Piccadilly\, St. James's\, London\, W1J 9LN\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Film and Photography,Pop Culture ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image.php-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240522T130000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240522T143000 DTSTAMP:20260430T023100 CREATED:20240425T103812Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240709T144535Z UID:10000413-1716382800-1716388200@counterpoints.org.uk SUMMARY:Assemblages of Sanctuary: Art\, Displacement & Mental Health DESCRIPTION:Join us for this online panel to reflect on the role that art can play in having a positive impact on the wellbeing and mental health of sanctuary seekers when working in creative settings.\n  \nAs part of this year’s Creativity and Wellbeing Week\, we are pleased to invite Thahmina Begum\, Dana Olărescu\, Amanda Camenisch and Therese Westin\, along with project participant Frieda N. Coleman\, to speak about their socially engaged artistic practices and to reflect on their experiences running arts-based projects with refugees and asylum seekers. \nCreative spaces of sanctuary are vibrant assemblages where artists and communities with lived experience of forced displacement come together to co-create dynamic spaces that embody an expansive sense of hope and possibility. \nIn this online panel conversation\, we ask – what role can art play to hold spaces that foster a sense of safety and promote wellbeing for refugees and people navigating the asylum system? How do they as creative practitioners navigate the hostile systems and structures that are detrimental to the wellbeing and mental health of sanctuary seekers? What kind of support structures can they put in place to look after their own wellbeing when working with communities confronted by vulnerability? And how can their experiences open up a critical space for learning and reflection for others with an interest in working in this space? \nThe online panel will last approximately 1.5 hours\, including space for questions or reflections. \nThe webinar will take place on Zoom and a meeting link will be sent to attendees in advance. Closed captioning will be available. \nThis conversation is part of Counterpoints Arts’ two-year programme focussing on mental health\, displacement and the arts running across 2024 & 2025\, and is generously supported by The Baring Foundation. \n  \nBook your free ticket here. \n  \nMeet the Speakers\nDana Olărescu\nDana Olărescu is a socially engaged artist with a focus on challenging minority exclusion and environmental injustice. Through participatory methodologies that democratise access to art and knowledge\, she aims to give agency to underserved migrant groups and people habitually excluded from decision-making processes\, so they can become active co-producers of culture. \nHer projects have been supported by\, among others\, the Arts Council\, Counterpoints Arts\, UCL Culture\, Invisible Dust\, and Urban Wilderness\, and presented at institutions in the UK and abroad\, including Tate Modern\, the London Short Film Festival\, the Low Carbon Design Institute\, Art Gene\, x-church\, ArtHouse Jersey\, Art Walk Projects\, Incheon Art Platform (South Korea)\, and La Virgule (France). \n  \nThahmina Begum\nThahmina Begum lives and works in Leeds\, Yorkshire. She is an Interdisciplinary Artist\, Poet\, and Workshop Facilitator. Begum has exhibited internationally\, nationally\, and hyper locally. Begum is a qualified and registered Art Psychotherapist (HCPC\, BATT). Her work explores cultures\, identities\, belonging and British /Bangladeshi/Muslim Diaspora. Begum’s work explores stories\, hidden narratives and storytelling through art and art making. Begum is passionate about making Art accessible for all sections of society and the promotion of art to improve our health and wellbeing. She love’s how Art can gives voices to communities/people that have been silenced. \nBegum’s work ranges from printmaking\, collage\, embroidery\, painting\, drawing\, poetry\, and creative conversations. She love’s working with Communities and groups to support and ease their ideas around art and what it means to them. She attended Leeds Arts University. \nBegum’s recent work/commissions include working with British Library (Food without Borders 2021-22)\,(Community History Project 2021) (Get Creative 2022-203) (Mapping Our Better Life\, 2024) (Our Stories\, our lives – Migration Stories\, Treasures Gallery\, London St Pancras\,2024) Leeds Art Gallery (Advisory Panel) (Shifting Perspectives and Conversation Table\, 2022) Yorkshire Sculpture Park (Concert for Bangladesh\,2021)\, (Walk a mile in my shoes\, 2022) Tetley Gallery (The Colour Pallette\,2021)\, LEEDS 2023 (Sarees and Street signs 2021 -22) and Yorkshire Sculpture International (Sylhet in my Suitcase\,2021 -22) Tara Theatre/British Council/Britto Arts Trust (Artist Make Spaces) (International Commission) Runnemede Trust -Artist in Residence (Racial Equality and Migrants Summit 2022) Commonwealth Theatre\, Bradford (Off the Curriculum\,2023) Woven in Kirklees (Dewsbury Fashion Show) University of Leeds and East Street Art –Cultural Institute (Creative Labs\, 2023). \n  \nAmanda Camenisch and Therese Westin\nAmanda Camenisch and Therese Westin\, London-based artists and wellbeing practitioners\, create immersive experiences through installation\, sculpture\, sound\, and performance art. They facilitate both individual and collective experiences\, often involving participation in workshops\, concerts\, and performances. Drawing from their background in wellbeing\, they craft meditative sculptural landscapes\, inviting participants to engage in sacred practices and fostering spaces for active imagination and play. \nTheir collaborative projects focus on activation and regeneration\, prioritizing the experiences of participants through a trauma-informed approach. Notable projects include a commission by The Brent Biennial to work with women from a local shelter\, resulting in sculptures exhibited at the Metroland Gallery and permanently installed at the shelter. They are currently completing a 14-month collaborative project supported by Arts Council England\, involving refugee centers and a women’s shelter\, with outcomes including exhibitions\, ceremonies\, and mentorship programs. Their performance project\, “A Home Is A Cloud\,” explores embodied experiences of trauma and displacement\, aiming to build strategies of home-making through community building and healing practices. \nSelected partnerships\, workshops and lectures: SPACE Ilford (London)\, The Museum of Home (London)\, University of Chicago (USA)\, CSM London\, and Universität der Künste Berlin\, Arts Council England\, Melissa Network (GR)\, Hackney Migrant Centre\, Marylebone project\, Jesuit Refugee Services\, Asian Women Resource Centre\, Metroland\, Arts and Health Hub\, Counterpoints Art\, Communitas (GR)\, House of Annetta Therese and Amanda have been awarded the Community Engagement Artist Award in 2021 and in 2023\, Arts Council England Project Grant 2021 & 2022. \n  \nFreida N. Coleman\nFreida N. Coleman\, born in Hopkins\, Belize\, is a long-term participant in projects facilitated by Amanda and Therese. She is a Garifuna woman who came to England in 2019. As a mother of twin girls\, she draws strength from her indigenous roots and traditions\, instilling in her children a deep connection to their heritage. Freida’s journey in London has been one of resilience and self-discovery\, navigating challenges such as postpartum depression and cultural displacement.\n\nHer quest for healing led her to explore meditation and holistic practices\, seeking solace in community support networks. Through emotional health classes and music-based meditation sessions\, Freida found empowerment and a sense of belonging. Inspired by the transformative power of sound and movement\, she embraced new experiences\, including the Lyra Project facilitated by Amanda and Therese.\n\nFreida’s involvement in the mentorship program facilitated by Amanda and Therese further deepened her understanding of meditation and self-care\, equipping her with valuable skills to guide others on their healing journey. With gratitude for her mentors and fellow participants\, Freida embraces the endless possibilities for growth and connection that lie ahead. \n  \nPhoto Credits – Amanda Camenisch and Therese Westin © URL:https://counterpoints.org.uk/event/assemblages-of-sanctuary-art-displacement-mental-health/ LOCATION:Online CATEGORIES:Community & Participation,Mental Health ATTACH;FMTTYPE=application/pdf:https://counterpoints.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/music-workbook-1.pdf END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR