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Surafel Wondimu Abebe, Assistant Professor of Performance Studies and Theory and Okwui Enewzor Fellow Idrissou Mora-Kpai took part in the Art Dubai Modern Talks on March 2-3, 2024. The event provided a platform for intellectual exchange and critical dialogue, focusing on the intersections of art, history, and global cultural exchange.
On March 2, Assistant Professor Surafel Wondimu Abebe joined a panel discussion alongside Daudi Karungi, Director and Founder of Afriart Gallery, Kampala, and Mila Askarova, Owner of Gazelli Art House, Baku/London, moderated by Christianna Bonin, Assistant Professor, American University of Sharjah. The conversation centered on the historical and contemporary connections between East Europe and East Africa’s vibrant art scenes, exploring the challenges and opportunities of navigating cultural exchange in today’s global art landscape.
The following day, on March 3, Idrissou Mora-Kpai participated in a screening and discussion session, along with Independent Journalist Samya Ayish. The event, also moderated by Dr. Christianna Bonin, showcased early and rarely seen short films by Arab and African directors, examining the enduring influence of Soviet cinema studies on African and Arab filmmaking in the late twentieth century.
Idrissou Mora-Kpai, an award-winning Beninese filmmaker and recipient of prestigious awards such as the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship and the Prince Claus Award, presented his impactful works, including “Fake Soldiers.” Currently serving as an Okwui Enwezor Fellow at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, Sharjah, Mora-Kpai’s commitment to socially relevant storytelling spans over two decades, resonating with audiences at renowned festivals worldwide.
The Art Dubai Modern Talks provided a platform for intellectual exchange and critical dialogue, reaffirming the importance of cultural engagement and artistic exploration in shaping our understanding of the world. Surafel Wondimu Abebe and Idrissou Mora-Kpai’s participation underscored The Africa Institute’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and advancing creative scholarship on a global stage.
Surafel Wondimu Abebe, Assistant Professor of Performance Studies and Theory and Okwui Enewzor Fellow Idrissou Mora-Kpai took part in the Art Dubai Modern Talks on March 2-3, 2024. The event provided a platform for intellectual exchange and critical dialogue, focusing on the intersections of art, history, and global cultural exchange.
Surafel Wondimu Abebe, Assistant Professor of Performance Studies and Theory and Okwui Enewzor Fellow Idrissou Mora-Kpai took part in the Art Dubai Modern Talks on March 2-3, 2024. The event provided a platform for intellectual exchange and critical dialogue, focusing on the intersections of art, history, and global cultural exchange.
On March 2, Assistant Professor Surafel Wondimu Abebe joined a panel discussion alongside Daudi Karungi, Director and Founder of Afriart Gallery, Kampala, and Mila Askarova, Owner of Gazelli Art House, Baku/London, moderated by Christianna Bonin, Assistant Professor, American University of Sharjah. The conversation centered on the historical and contemporary connections between East Europe and East Africa’s vibrant art scenes, exploring the challenges and opportunities of navigating cultural exchange in today’s global art landscape.
The following day, on March 3, Idrissou Mora-Kpai participated in a screening and discussion session, along with Independent Journalist Samya Ayish. The event, also moderated by Dr. Christianna Bonin, showcased early and rarely seen short films by Arab and African directors, examining the enduring influence of Soviet cinema studies on African and Arab filmmaking in the late twentieth century.
Idrissou Mora-Kpai, an award-winning Beninese filmmaker and recipient of prestigious awards such as the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship and the Prince Claus Award, presented his impactful works, including “Fake Soldiers.” Currently serving as an Okwui Enwezor Fellow at The Africa Institute, Global Studies University, Sharjah, Mora-Kpai’s commitment to socially relevant storytelling spans over two decades, resonating with audiences at renowned festivals worldwide.
The Art Dubai Modern Talks provided a platform for intellectual exchange and critical dialogue, reaffirming the importance of cultural engagement and artistic exploration in shaping our understanding of the world. Surafel Wondimu Abebe and Idrissou Mora-Kpai’s participation underscored The Africa Institute’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and advancing creative scholarship on a global stage.
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