Exploring the Relationship Between Art and Political Representation

UNPO – October 20, 2014

From 17 to 19 October 2014, the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization participated at the fourth edition of the New World Academy, organized by the New World Summit, as an educational platform that invites stateless political organizations to exchange with artists and students on the role of art and culture in political struggle. During this session, held at BAK (basis voor actuele kunstheld) in Utrecht, the focus was placed on the political movement called the National Liberation Movement of Azawad (MNLA).

The MNLA consists of an alliance of peoples from the Sahel and Sahara regions –Tuareg, Songhai, Fula, and Arabs – who collectively demand that two-thirds of the northern part of Mali be recognized as their independent, multiethnic, and multireligious state of Azawad. The history of the Azawadian revolutionary movement lies in the resistance against the French-Sudanese colony and the foundation of the French-backed state of Mali in 1960. To date, four armed rebellions have taken place since the establishment of the Malian state, the last one being in 2012. The role of art, literature, and music has been crucial in maintaining visibility and representing the stateless state of Azawad both within the region and internationally.

During the three days of the New World Academy, participants were challenged to explore the relationship between art and political representation, and develop proposals for new model of representation of unacknowledged states, such as Azawad, but also other stateless States (Somaliland, Balochistan, West Papua and Oromia). The participants were guided by the expertise of Moussa Ag Assarid (writer, representative of the National Liberation Movement of Azawad), Mazou Ibrahim Touré (artist, Artist Association of Azawad), Remco van Bladel (designer), Gabriëlle Provaas and Rob Schröder (filmmakers), Jonas Staal (artist and founder of NWA) and Iva Petkovic (representative of UNPO).

Participants presented their proposal on the role of art and culture in the creation of new states at an open forum held on Friday 19 October at BAK. Contributions were given by experts in various fields including Simon P. Sapioper, (representative of the National Government of the Republic of West-Papua), Golrokh Nafisi (political artist), Rob Schröder (filmmaker), Yazan Khalili (artist), and Iva Petkovic (representative of UNPO).

You can read the UNPO lecture delivered on Friday 17 October to the participants of the New World Academy by following the link.

http://unpo.org/article/17626