Arab American Artists Address 9-11 Anniversary, Current Arab World Unrest at NYC Conference

posted on: Mar 10, 2011

The Arab American National Museum (AANM) – the only museum of its kind among the 17,500 cultural institutions in the United States – brings its biennial DIWAN: A Forum for the Arts, to New York City Friday and Saturday, March 25-26, 2011.

Among the highlights of the conference are panel discussions on the ways Arab American artists have grappled with the impact of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 in their work, and how Arab American artists intervene in the reality of war and conflict in various creative genres. Among the artists set to appear at DIWAN is Libyan American poet Khaled Mattawa, a Ford/United States Artist for 2011 and recipient of the 2010 Academy of American Poets Fellowship Prize. Mattawa, a professor at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, has been a frequent commentator on the current situation in Libya in recent weeks.

Delivering the 2011 DIWAN keynote address on March 26 is Prof. Joseph Massad, associate professor of modern Arab politics and intellectual history at Columbia University in New York. His 2007 book Desiring Arabs was awarded the Lionel Trilling Book Award; he is also a columnist for the Egyptian Al-Ahram Weekly and the Lebanese daily newspaper Al-Akhbar.

AANM is pleased to partner with New York’s own ALWAN for the Arts as well the Middle East and Middle East American Center (MEMEAC) at The Graduate Center, The City University of New York (CUNY), for its fourth DIWAN, part of the Museum’s ongoing commitment to convene and generate a national dialogue among artists and academicians about the state of Arab American art. DIWAN also encourages diverse audiences to explore the boundaries of art in addressing social issues related to Arab Americans and the community at large.

“The recent protests that have rocked the Arab World have drawn the world’s attention to the region and Americans are hungry to learn more about this part of the world,” says Holly Arida, a noted author on Arab American art and the coordinator for 2011 DIWAN.

“This significant gathering of Arab American artists and scholars and outstanding programming offers a bridge of understanding to Arab culture in the heart of New York, the city that for more than 100 years has served as the major point of entry for immigrants coming from the Arab World.”

Arida says 2011 DIWAN is especially significant as it coincides with and addresses the 10th anniversary of the tragic events in New York City on September 11, 2001.

“The Arab American art movement galvanized around New York City as local artists of Arab heritage began collaborating through art in a positive response to 9/11,” Arida says. “As we approach the 10-year anniversary of the tragedy, it is important to remember the positive contributions that Arab Americans continue to make to American culture and how the collaboration among artists that began in New York has grown nationally over the past decade.”

Complete schedule and presenter information is available at www.diwanart.org.

DIWAN takes place at The Graduate Center at CUNY, 365 Fifth Ave. in New York. All sessions are free and open to the public; no advance registration is required. The public is also invited to attend a closing night party at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 26 at DROM Nightclub, 85 Avenue A between 5th and 6th Streets, featuring live music by Kinan Azmeh’s City Band and other acts; tickets are $10 in advance online at www.diwanart.org and $15 at the door.

Major funding for 2011 DIWAN comes from the Nathan Cummings Foundation. DIWAN is also made possible in part by the Ford Foundation and the Kresge Foundation.

FEN Magazine is the 2011 DIWAN media sponsor; visit www.fenmag.com for 2011 DIWAN coverage.

The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates and educates the public on the history, life, culture and contributions of Arab Americans. It serves as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization. Learn more at www.arabamericanmuseum.org and www.accesscommunity.org.

The Arab American National Museum is a proud Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Read about the Affiliations program at http://affiliations.si.edu.

The Museum is located at 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI, 48126. Museum hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday, Tuesday; Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for students, seniors and children 6-12; ages 5 and under, free. Call 313.582.2266 for further information.