STATEMENT

In the newly-born Tunisian cultural scene, SEE DJERBA is considered as one of the most important artistic initiatives undertaken by Tunisian civil society actors (COLLECTIF-CREATIF; Ijou Gdena: a local collective; and several local associations from Djerba). The project has witnessed many challenges: First, the organization of the event, which was based only on volunteer’s work, seemed to be a success. Indeed, we can easily feel the dynamism and the enthusiasm of the team through the activities ran. Then, the international melting-pot spirit was felt through the presence of international artists subtly integrated into the splendid “Houmet Essouk”. They were in regular contact with locals who appreciated sharing with them this unique experience and the hope for the development of cultural activities in Tunisia. Finally, the event seemed to have taken place as the team hoped, offering to visitors the opportunity to live an exceptional moment blending the beauty of Art and Djerba’s medina.

SEE DJERBA TASKS

[1] SEE DJERBA Round Table : Culture of Democracy

FOCUS

Asma is a consultant who advices and coachs national and international NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to implement their social projects and to evaluate their achievements in order to improve their performance. Her expertise is in human resources and project management.

DEVELOPPMENT

2016 – 2017 | Training in professional and personal coaching | High school of coaching (certification CNRP 1)
2012 – 2014 | Master 2 Economics and Psychology | La Sorbonne Paris 1 and University Paris Descartes Paris 5 | Paris (Fr)
2008 – 2011 | Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Management | Faculty of Economics and Management | Toulouse (Fr)

LINKS

CV

 

STATEMENT

As a student of international cultural policy I am very interested in the influences art can have on society and political thoughts and processes. Coming to Djerba is a special opportunity for me as it is my third chance to be a part of discussions about art and community in Africa. The first project I participated in was in 2016 at the East African Performing Arts Market in Uganda followed by a three-month-internship at the District Six Museum in Cape Town. Both of these experiences have opened my mind to the idea of art as a political tool that can formulate statements about the social structures we live in that are sometimes hard to grasp. I am looking forward to get to know Tunisia and to learn how this country finds itself in its unique position between Europe and Africa.

SEE DJERBA CONTRIBUTION

ART MATTERS Documentary and Evaluation

FOCUS

My work is focused on questions about art as part of political activism, art and culture as a medium to sustain democracy and about the different perceptions and perspectives on art and culture from a european and an african point of view.

DEVELOPMENT

2017: studies of Design, Photography and Film at Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria
Since 2015: focus on International Cultural Policy in the context of Bachelor Plus, Hildesheim
Since 2014: Cultural Studies and Aesthetics with focus on Literature and Media, Hildesheim

LINKS

STATEMENT

Having the opportunity to participate in the SEE DJERBA project seems very excitcing to me. As a student of cultural studies and applied arts (university of Hildesheim) I’m highly interested in intersectional artistic, cultural and political discourses. I’m looking forward to meet, discuss, see..!

SEE DJERBA CONTRIBUTION

Together with Henry I’m planning to conduct an interactive project in Djerba about the personal dimensions of light and darkness and how we use these terms as metaphors in order to describe what we see and feel.

FOCUS

Beside university I’m mainly involved in theater and dance (-pedagogical) projects. I’m passionate about taking part and observing the complex processes of opening oneself up and get to know each other through movement. I’m very curious to experience in which way lightart can initiate those kind of processes – how it will impact our minds, the (public) spaces and our interaction.

DEVELOPMENT

Since 2013 degree course “Cultural studies and applied arts” at the University of Hildesheim

2015/16 (within the Erasmus program) “Discipline dell’Arte, della Musica e dello Spettacolo” at the University of Bologna

LINK

STATEMENT
When I first started studying Creative Writing in Hildesheim, Germany, I could only take a glance at the Lichtungen festival. Nevertheless, the responses I witnessed from those who had been there were impressive. To be given the oppotunity to work in close quarters with the people responsible for the Lichtungen festival and the ART MATTERS Collective is something I wouldn’t want to be missing out on, and which I am very grateful for. As a writer, I look for stories to tell. As a photographer, I let my sourroundings tell me theirs. As a person engaged in social work, I contemplate the relations between giving and receiving, being and acting. Then, there is Djerba. What and whom will I find here? Together with Bernadette, we take a look at that which can’t be seen, but has to be shown. How do we see ourselves and how do we see others? What is there to learn from confronting ourselves with our persona and with how another person perceives us?
I am very much looking forward to getting in touch with so many different, creative people and their works.

SEE DJERBA CONTRIBUTION
Together with Bernadette I’m planning to conduct an interactive project in Djerba about the personal dimensions of light and darkness and how we use these terms as metaphors in order to describe what we see and feel.

FOCUS
After having spent a semester in Nepal studying Buddhist philosophy and being strongly influenced by it, I explore the meaning, dimensions and effects of impermanence. This includes the ways we construct the world sourrounding us, that which we take for granted, through performing according to cultural, social and linguistic codes. To question the fragility of these alleged constants, and how this contributes to personal development and social changes is the main focus of my work.

DEVELOPMENT
2016 | Co-founder of Rigardu, a non-profit registered association, working with refugees on the European continent
Since October 2015 | Studies of Creative Writing at Hildesheim Univesity
2008 – 2012 | Studies of Philosophy at FU Berlin and Rangjung Yeshe Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal
2004 – 2008 | Studies of Medicine at Ruhr Universität Bochum and Universidad de Oviedo, Spain

LINKS
Literaturinstitut Hildesheim
Rigardu

STATEMENT
As a student of Arts, Aesthetics and Cultural Studies in addition to Cultural Policy in an International Context at the University of Hildesheim, I am highly interested in the connection of theory and practice in international, interdisciplinary art and culture projects. I want to take this great opportunity to get in touch with innovative creatives and figure out how we as a collective can create a new perception of a place like Djerba, which is by its history transitional, and to sound out the definition of a public space from different perspectives.
I am very curious to learn more about the role of art in Tunisia and how art matters in various ways.

SEE DJERBA CONTRIBUTION
[1] Workshop: Djerba online seen from Germany

FOCUS
In this project, I want to focus on the role of social media, the pictures and resultantly the image it creates of Djerba. To see the possibilities and the shifting perspectives it can evoke, highlighting the inter- and transcultural practices. Much like my work at MAVIBLAU, a Turkish-German Magazine for Culture, Arts and Society.

DEVELOPMENT
Since 2015| Studies of Cultural Policy in an international Context at Bilgi University Istanbul
Since 2013| Studies of Arts, Aesthetics and Cultural Studies at University Hildesheim

LINKS
MAVIBLAU