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I AM

Lalla Essaydi, Bullets Revisited #15, 2012

Following the premiere in Amman, Jordan, the I AM exhibition moved to London, and was showcased at St. Martin-in-the-Fields on Trafalgar Square from July 2 - August 20, 2017.

 

Over 400 distinguished guests attended the official opening program on July 3 that included special speakers such as His Excellency Mazen K. Homoud, the Ambassador of Jordan to the UK, Sir Derek Plumbly, Chairman of The Arab British Centre and Vanessa Branson, Founder of the Marrakech Biennale in Morocco. Special guest sopranos Dima Bawab and Margo Arsane performed, together with piano accompanist Toby Purser, thanks to our partner The Peace and Prosperity Trust.

 

A variety of events around the I AM exhibition in London were held to address stereotypes and challenge misconceptions (see below).  Additionally, there was also a youth educational focus, in partnership with the Jonas Foundation.

Watch a Video on the Opening of I AM in London

 

Read the Opening Address by Vanessa Branson (Founder of the Marrakech Biennale): “Driving Forces: Women artists from the Islamic world"

 

Read the remarks by Sir Derek Plumbly, Chairman of The Arab British Centre (and former HM Ambassador to Egypt and Saudi Arabia) at the opening of I AM: "Art, Peacebuilding and Women"

London, United Kingdom
St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square
St Martin-in-the-Fields
Revd Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields
Soprano Dima Bawab
Soprano Dima Bawab
Ambassador Mazen Homoud of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Ambassador Mazen Homoud of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Ambassador Mazen Homoud of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Audience
Participating artists
Rev Paul-Gordon Chandler, Founder and President of CARAVAN
Rev Paul-Gordon Chandler, Founder and President of CARAVAN
Rev Paul-Gordon Chandler
Participating artists
Audience
Soprano Dima Bawab
Sheikha Lulwa Al Khalifa
Sheikha Lulwa Al Khalifa
Artist Mariam Ali Fakhro
Sir Derek Plumbly, Chairman of the Arab British Centre
Sir Derek Plumbly
Soprano Margo Arsane
Soprano Margo Arsane
Soprano Dima Bawab
Vanessa Branson
Vanessa Branson
Vanessa Branson
Vanessa Branson
Mahmoud Freihat, Jordan Tourist Board
Mahmoud Freihat, Jordan Tourism Board
Sopranos Dima Bawab and Margo Arsane
Sopranos Dima Bawab and Margo Arsane
Sopranos Dima Bawab and Margo Arsane
Ambassador Mazen Homoud
Guests with Vanessa Branson
Guests with Ambassador Homoud
Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler
Vanessa Branson, Guest and Curator Janet Rady
Guest viewing the exhibition
Guests viewing the exhibition
Guests viewing the exhibition
Guests viewing the exhibition
Work by Mariam Ali Fakhro
Participating artist Rawan Al Adwan
Work by Faten Gaddes
Participating artist Sheikha Lulwa Al Khalifa
Work by Manal Deeb
Work by Carelle Homsy
Work by Annie Kurkdjian
Participating artist Mariam Ali Fakhro in front of her work with guests
Work by Nabeela Al Khayer
Work by Rania Matar
Work by Maitha Demithan
Work by Raeda Saadeh
Work by Lalla Essaydi
Work by Nermine Hammam
Opening Event at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, United Kingdom
CARAVAN EVENTS in LONDON  (around the I AM exhibition)
Women, Art & The Middle East

The Gallery in the Crypt, St Martin-in-the-Fields

Women, Art & The Middle East - Challenging Stereotypes, Building Bridges

A panel discussion was moderated by Malu Halasa as part of our I AM opening programme in London. This exploration with participating artists Marwa Al Khalifa (Bahrain), Zena Assi (Lebanon), Ahaad Alamoudi (Saudi Arabia) and Soheila Sokhanvari (Iran), and curator, Janet Rady, confronted challenges and stereotypes while celebrating progress and achievements.  

Watch the video: Artists' Panel Discussion

Jonas 4.jpg

St Martin-in-the-Fields

Workshop with Jonas Foundation

A workshop for children affiliated with the Jonas Foundation's work was held that focused on the concepts expressed through the I AM exhibition of identity, culture, heritage and creativity. The children looked at the use of color, form and rhythm in the works while also developing riddles to describe them. 

Jonas 5.jpg
Arab Jazz for Peace

St Martin-in-the-Fields

Arab Jazz for Peace

A concert with critically acclaimed East-West fusion jazz group, HIJAZ, together with gifted Tunisian singer Abir Nasraoui explored differences and similarities in cultures through their unique musical expression on July 18 in association with I AM programming. Held at St Martin-in-the-Fields. See photos: Arab Jazz for Peace 

Organ Concert with Calvert Johnson, Amman, Jordan

St Martin-in-the-Fields

An Evening with Elif Shafak - "East, West and Global Souls"

Elif Shafak, the award-winning Turkish novelist and one of today's most influential public intellectuals gave a presentation on August 14 titled "East, West & Global Souls" in London at St. Martin-in-the-Fields around the I AM exhibition.  

A combination of lecture, conversation and a time of questions, Elif focused on building bridges, not walls.

 

Elif Shafak was also awarded the first CARAVAN Award for Peacebuilding and the Arts.

Watch a video for the evening: East, West and Global Souls

Watch a video of the CARAVAN Award presentation:  CARAVAN Award

​See photos of the evening:  Elif Shafak evening

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