Un/gleich/zeitig: Talking Exile – The Artistic Practice of Transnational Members of the Performing Arts Community

We often speak of artists and culture makers in exile. But what forms of exile do we mean and are these comparable with each other? Can the different factions even be brought together at the same table? And, most of all: who deems something to be exile? What consequences result from this designation and how does it influence the working practice of transnational artists and culture makers? Is the term “exile” necessary in order to make the perspectives of artists visible through the corresponding funding programs and festivals? Or does it lead to them being limited to the representation of their experience as exiles? And, since things are always also about money: how accessible are the resources for transnational artists and culture makers who found themselves arriving in Germany? How sustainable are “start-up” funding programs and what happens when they expire? Which alternatives and strategies are there besides those forms of support by the state in order to begin anew in Berlin as an artist or culture maker?

In this fishbowl format, experts with and without exile experience will come together and enter into conversation with each other as well as with the guests of the conference. They will reflect upon the focal points named above as well as additional questions dealing with external ascriptions of identity and self-identity, funding opportunities and the visibility of artistic perspectives.

In English spoken language, simultaneous translation into German spoken language.

With Nora Amin (writer, performer, choreographer, theatre director), Inky Lee (artist, writer), Ashkan Afsharian (choreographer, co-leadership Tanzpol Festival), Haya El Khoury (social designer)

Moderation: Lisa Siomicheva (artist, curator, cultural manager)

Lisa Siomicheva is a multidisciplinary artist, curator, cultural manager and journalist. Her topics are documentary art, social change, diversity and migration as well as the promotion of all forms of equality through artistic work.