VR Experience Artistic Residency
As a core part of Misahat Noon 02 project, which aims to combat all forms of racial discrimination based on color, a new experiment using virtual reality technology is being conducted. This experiment is led by a group of experts: Mr. Cherif Khalifa, an engineer specializing in artificial intelligence; Mr. Mohamed Arbi Soualhia, a specialist in virtual reality technologies; and Ms. Fatma Ghedira, a specialist in social psychology. Additionally, the dancers Ameni Chatti and Omayma Messadi participated in the experience with the assistance of the dancer and choreographer Ilyes Triki. The artistic residency concluded with the production of a dance artwork that will be showcased within the context of the experiment. By integrating artistic media with virtual reality technologies, the physiological state of the participants will be monitored through a device that records their reactions while watching a 360-degree video.
LIGHT AND MEDIA ART WORKSHOPS
From June 23 to 27, 2024, Danseurs Citoyens Sud and INTERFERENCE Tunis hosted Light and Media Art workshops for emerging artists from southern Tunisia at No Name Artistic Studio Lab in Gabes. Facilitated by the INTERFERENCE Tunis team, the workshops provided practical training sessions where participants explored light as an artistic medium. The sessions aimed to enhance the spirit of collaboration in creative projects and improve participants' skills in contemporary art practices. Importantly, the workshops did not limit participants to a particular theme or tool; instead, they offered a space for artists to imagine, think, and observe various elements that could be used as artistic tools. On June 27, 2024, a light and media art exhibition took place at No Name Artistic Studio Lab. Each participant had the opportunity to create and showcase an artistic experiment, combining various mediums and tools. This exhibition allowed participants to present their innovative work and demonstrate the skills they had developed during the workshops. By integrating various creative techniques, the workshops encouraged participants to continue exploring and innovating in contemporary art.
“4000 Km Untitled” Second Performance
In recognition of the necessity of valuing African cultural heritage and enhancing the values of solidarity and peace, "Danseurs Citoyens Sud" organization hosted a group of specialized artists in performing and visual arts within the context of an artistic bootcamp titled "4000 km untitled." As part of our art bootcamp, the second performance of “4000 km untitled” took place at El Hamra Theater in Tunis on February 14th, 2024. The performance artistically depicted many aspects surrounding the issue of migration and its challenges, as a step towards establishing values of tolerance, solidarity, and enhancing cooperation within the African continent.
“4000 Km Untitled” First Performance
In recognition of the necessity of valuing African cultural heritage and enhancing the values of solidarity and peace, "Danseurs Citoyens Sud" organization hosted a group of specialized artists in performing and visual arts within the context of an artistic bootcamp titled "4000 km untitled." As part of our art bootcamp, the first performance of “4000 km untitled” took place at “No Name” artistic studio lab in Gabes on February 13th, 2024. The performance artistically depicted many aspects surrounding the issue of migration and its challenges, as a step towards establishing values of tolerance, solidarity, and enhancing cooperation within the African continent.
“4000 Km Untitled” Artistic Bootcamp
"4000 Km Untitled" is an artistic bootcamp aimed at valorizing the African identity through performing and visual arts. The program ran from February 5th to 12th, 2024, at the "No Name" artistic studio lab in Gabes, gathering 5 artists from various regions of Tunisia. During this period, multiple issues were addressed focusing on artistic mediums (body, sound, and light) and research studies, with the aim of exploring the political, economic, social, environmental, and historical impacts affecting the lives of African continent residents, particularly those heading towards the North of the Mediterranean Sea. The initiative also critiques colonial-imposed governance systems and borders that negatively impacted universal human rights. It highlights the shared natural resources and intangible heritage between the North and South of the African continent. Through artistic efforts and field research, an artistic presentation was embodied to translate the dark reality of migration and its ensuing forms of exclusion and discrimination.
“Spontaneous Sensibility” ARTISTIC BOOTCAMP
"Spontaneous Sensibility" is an art camp that took place from December 24th to December 27th, 2023, at "No Name Artistic Studio Lab" in Gabes, Tunisia.The bootcamp primarily emphasizes mobile topology, an educational and artistic concept implemented in public spaces through the use of geometric shapes, physical structures, and video art. In the context of the local environment, these means serve as a replication of the overall image of the Gabes region. Accordingly, this experience contributed to unifying collective participation by engaging with these elements through embracing unique bodily movements, fostering a spontaneous awareness among children and youth.Facilitated by experienced artists in the fields of circus arts and manual skills, the event explored and applied the concept of mobile topology through various artistic mediums, including geometric forms, video art, manual skills, and circus arts. This approach aimed to facilitate social interaction, making it easier to connect with and guide young people and children by encouraging them to use their daily environment in different ways.As part of the bootcamp’s outputs, a cohesive artistic performance was created, integrating various artistic disciplines. This performance was presented at both Seniet El Bey Youth Complex in Gabes on December 27, 2023, and Mohamed Ali Youth Center
“Noon” Performance by Ahmed Guerfel (DCS x WADE into ACTIVISM)
"Misahat Noon" is an artistic initiative undertaken by "Danseurs Citoyens Sud" representing a year-long collaborative effort. The primary objective of this endeavor is to combat and shed light on the pervasive issue of violence against women. As part of its commitment to this cause, "Danseurs Citoyens Sud" actively participated in "WADEintoACTIVISM," a 16-day performing arts festival curated and produced by WADE, focusing on the urgent need to take action against gender-based violence and discrimination. Within the festival, two performances entitled "Noon" unfolded at the Art On Site studio in NYC on November 25th, 2023. Spearheaded by the artist Ahmed Guerfel, who serves as the Executive Director of "Danseurs Citoyens Sud". These performances integrated dance, visuals, and sound. Through these artistic mediums, "Noon" portrayed the critical and often challenging situations faced by Tunisian females in their homeland. The profound narrative aimed to not only uncover the harsh realities but also to inspire awareness, empathy, and a collective call to action against gender-based violence. Going beyond mere representation, "Noon" provided a critical examination of the application of policies designed to protect women and uphold principles of justice and tangible equality. Hence, the performances served as a powerful medium to depict and critique the effectiveness
Art Bootcamp H²: Music as a Healing Tool
H², short for Hear and Heal, is an artistic bootcamp that has been held from December 2nd to December 6th, 2023 at “No Name - Artistic Studio Lab” in Gabes, Tunisia. It was orchestrated by "Danseurs Citoyens Sud" organization in collaboration with "Sounds of Change", a foundation dedicated to training aid workers and educators in the integration of music as an empowering tool. Facilitated by two esteemed artists with extensive experience in the realm of music, participants were not only guided in refining their musical skills but were also immersed in a journey of self-discovery. Accordingly, the philosophy underlying this artistic bootcamp lies in the belief that music possesses the potential to ignite positive change amidst diverse struggles and painful human experiences. Within this experience, nine participants, hailing from diverse backgrounds and origins, actively collaborated and created powerful connections. Remarkably, they managed to uncover and celebrate commonalities in a poignant manner, showcasing the unifying and healing potential of music. In essence, the bootcamp not only elevated musical skills but also became a platform for forging connections, fostering understanding, and amplifying the impact of art in addressing shared human challenges.
Panel discussion: Engaging Art in the Climate Justice Cause
On the 6th of October 2023, an insightful panel discussion took place at the secondary venue of Danseurs Citoyens Sud in Jara Gabes, centered around the theme "Engaging Art in the Climate Justice Cause." This event served as a platform for addressing the critical issue of climate justice through the lens of art and culture. The panel featured two distinguished speakers who lent their expertise to the discourse: “Mohamed Amine Hamouda”, a renowned visual artist and educator at the Higher Institute of Arts and Crafts, dedicated to the promotion of Gabes' Oasis culture, and “Bochra Taboubi”, a Tunisian visual artist known for her profound exploration of the intricate relationship between humans and nature. Throughout the discussion, the urgency of climate justice was brought to the forefront, emphasizing the pressing need for immediate action and awareness. Mohamed Amine Hamouda's insightful contributions underscored the vital role of art in preserving and celebrating the cultural heritage of Gabes, a region faced with unique environmental challenges. Additionally, Bochra Taboubi's thought-provoking exhibition, "Cluster of Matter," served as a powerful visual commentary on the complex interplay between humanity and the environment. Her historical insight into the Tunisian paleontological heritage shed light on the deep-rooted connections between the land
“Cluster of Matter” Exhibition by Bochra Taboubi
"Cluster of Matter" is a thought-provoking exhibition by the talented visual artist, Bochra Taboubi, who possesses a deep fascination with the intricate relationship between humans and nature. The exhibition unfolded from October 5th to 7th, 2023, at Danseurs Citoyens Sud's secondary venue in Jara, Gabes. Bochra Taboubi's work in "Cluster of Matter" invites viewers into a realm of visual contemplation that centers on the vanishing paleontological heritage of the Metlaoui region, a phosphate mining town in Tunisia. The work stages a dialogue between the fictional and the natural while sketching a repertoire of chimerical forms and creatures in an attempt to conjure the fauna and flora that could have existed. At the core of Bochra's artistic methodology lies a journey of exploration. She delves into landscapes, pores over historical records, and draws from paleontological sources, weaving these elements into a reimagined array of specimens. Hence, Bochra Taboubi's work is a fusion of artistic creativity and historical insight.