Art, Peace and Conflict: Conversations with Artists

​This event series brings together academics and artists in conversation.

Conflict is constructed, understood, justified, organized and mediated through culture. In order to defuse and prevent conflicts, we need to understand how people imbue them with meaning. The seminar series aims to explore the role of art in this meaning-making process at different phases of conflict and war. The seminars consist of conversations between artists and academics, as well as the artists presenting from their work.

These events are hosted by the PRIO Centre on Culture and Violent Conflict.

Seminars

4 December: Conversation with Monirah Hashemi and Kristian Berg Harpviken

​​How is conflict understood, organized and mediated through different art forms? How does conflict affect cultural production and discourses of war and conflict? How may cultural expressions prevent, mitigate and end violent conflict? And what inspirations and responsibilities do artists have in these processes?

• Monirah Hashemi is an actor, playwright and director. 
• Kristian Berg Harpviken is a Research Professor at PRIO. 
  
• Listen to an audio recording of the event here.
  

24 September: Conversation with Taghred Elsanhouri and Kasia Grabska

How is conflict and migration understood, organized and mediated through different art forms? How may creative production prevent, mitigate and end violent conflict? What inspirations and responsibilities do artists and researchers have in these processes? In what ways can filmmaking be part of co-creation of knowledge in and about war and migration?

• Filmmaker Taghreed Elsanhouri and anthropologist Kasia Grabska engaged in a conversation reflecting on such questions. Cindy Horst moderated the conversation.
• The short documentary Musa was screened during the event. Musa is directed by Mohamed Marzoug under the Cultural Healing project, a community and participatory video project which was originated and artistic directed by Taghreed Elsanhouri, funded by the EU and implemented in Sudan by Taghreed Elsanhouri, Concordis International, and Nasaq.
• The opening scene of the documentary 2 Girls directed by Marco Speroni was also screened. The documentary is based on the research Time to Look at Girls: Adolescent Girls' Migration and Development by Kasia Grabska, Nicoletta Del Franco and Marina de Regt.
• Listen to an audio recording of the event here. 

26 April: Conversation with Diala Brisly and Kjetil Selvik

How is conflict understood, organized and mediated through different art forms? How does conflict affect cultural production and discourses of war and conflict? How may cultural expressions prevent, mitigate and end violent conflict? And what inspirations and responsibilities do artists have in these processes?

• Artist Diala Brisly and NUPI researcher Kjetil Selvik engaged in a conversation reflecting on such questions. Cindy Horst moderated the conversation.
  
• Diala Brisly presented some of her work including illustrations, paintings, comics and murals. 
  
• See Diala's art and listen to the event here. 
  

20 March: Conversation with Iffit Qureshi and Marta Bivand Erdal

How may art contribute to creating more inclusive societies? What inspirations and responsibilities do artists and researchers feel they have in exploring diversity and nationhood? How can visual images and written words challenge us to see ourselves and others in new ways?

• Photographer Iffit Qureshi and PRIO researcher Marta Bivand Erdal engaged in a conversation reflecting on such qustions.
• Cindy Horst moderated the conversation.
• Iffit Qureshi presented her project Humans of Oslo.
  
• Listen to an audio recording of the event here. 
  

1 February: Conversation with Aar Maanta and Cindy Horst

How is conflict understood, organized and mediated through different art forms? How does conflict affect cultural production and discourses of war and conflict? How may cultural expressions prevent, mitigate and end violent conflict? And what inspirations and responsibilities do artists have in these processes?

• Musician Aar Maanta and PRIO researcher Cindy Horst engaged in a conversation reflecting on such questions.
  
• Iffit Qureshi moderated the conversation.
  
• Aar Maanta presented some of his work and performed a traditional Somali song.
  
• Listen to an audio recording of the event here.