Inverted Worlds – Congress on Cultural Motion in the Arab Region aims to explore arenas and manifestations of cultural change effective in the eventful and disruptive outbursts of the Arab spring. It addresses the manners and means of articulation and self-imaging, the medial catalysts of change, the framing that encourages both mobilization and individual action towards change, the tools and inspirations of nonviolent resistance. The metaphor of inversion relates to both the moment when established orders were toppled, and the momentum carrying cultural change in the region. Over the five days of the congress, artists, activists and academics engage in debate and exchange.

Call for papers (deadline 15 July 2012)

Programme

Poster

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1. Matthias Kispert (D-Fuse and University of the Arts, London): Debates on Social Media and Revolution
2. Hassan Choubassi (European Graduate School/Lebanese International University): The Masses: From the Implosion of Fantasies to the Explosion of the Political. From Actual to Virtual to Augmented
3. Monika Halkort (Queen’s University Belfast): Counting versus Narration. The Database as Political Form
4. Lev Manovich (University of San Diego): How to See One Million Images

1. Ines Dallaji (University of Vienna): Tunisian Rap Music and the Arab Spring: Revolutionary Anthems and Post-Revolutionary Tendencies
2. Stephan Prochazka (University of Vienna): The Voice of Freedom – Egyptian Revolution Pop: Provocation or Encouragement
3. Simon Dubois (Université Lumière Lyon II): Street Songs from the Syrian Protests

• Discussion with members of Hip Hop Project Khat Thaleth, moderated by Ahmed Khouja aka Munaqresh. Participating artists: El Rass (Lebanon), Sayyed Darwish (Syria), Watar (Syria), El Far3i (Jordan), Zeid Khemiri (Armada Bizerta, Tunisia), Ahmed Galai Ezzar (Armada Bizerta, Tunisia).

1. (OTPOR! and Canvas, Serbia): Nonviolent Movements are Dictators’ Worst Nightmares
2. Ahmed Maher (April 6 Movement, Egypt): After the Revolution in Egypt
3. Ala’a Shehabi (Economics lecturer and co-founder of Bahrain Watch): Configuring Dissent; Youth Resistance Movements in Bahrain in the Wake of the Arab Uprisings
4. Abdulnabi Alekry (Bahrain Transparency Society, Bahrain): Bahrain: The Aftermath of 14 February Uprising