A Stage for Any Revolution is an open modular ‘stage’ by artist Alia Farid based on an architectural model from 1929 by constructivist set designer, Victor Shestakov. The stage, re-envisaged for Edgware Road will be used by the public in different ways; for long-distance participation in events happening across the Arab world, for sitting together to share discussions, for making declarations or speeches, for convening groups of people, and hosting events.
Alia Farid will take up residence on the Edgware Road, and over the course of the Shubbak festival the ‘stage’ will come to life from 11-20 July, with a series of performances, reading groups, and the launch of Bright Echo, a sound commission by Sophia Al-Maria.
On 11 July, Alia Farid will launch the stage with a performance of Zoe Leonard’s I want a President… in Arabic and English. This collective reading is part of an ongoing project initiated by artists Malin Arnell, Kajsa Dahlberg, Johanna Gustavsson and Fia-Stina Sandlund in collaboration with artist Zoe Leonard. On July 18, Sophia Al-Maria organises Acts of Memory – Tyburnia, a performance of Monica Ross’ original piece Anniversary – an act of memory which is a collective, multilingual recitation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
A Stage for Any Revolution will be running from 15.00-19.00 on the following dates with performances at the indicated times below:
Saturday 11 July – 15.30: a collective reading of Zoe Leonard's I want a president… in English and Arabic
Sunday 12 July – 16.00: a performance by dancer Kiani del Valle; 6pm ... not a luxury a performance-reading by diásporas críticas
Tuesday 14 July: Open stage
Wednesday 15 July: Open stage
Thursday 16 July: Open stage
Friday 17 July: Open stage
Saturday 18 July – 15.30: Acts of Memory – Tyburnia performance of Monica Ross’ original piece Anniversary - an act of memory, a collective, multilingual recitation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Organised by Sophia Al-Maria. To coincide with the launch of sound commission Bright Echo by Sophia Al-Maria, available on the Serpentine Galleries and Shubbak website.
Sunday 19 July – 16.00: performance workshop by Implicated Theatre
Monday 20 July - 18.00: a series of performances by Colette Dalal Tchantcho and Balquis Duval
A Stage for Any Revolution is the result of six months’ research as part of the residency programme From Neighbourhood to Neighbourhoods. Alia Farid undertook this residency with the Serpentine Galleries’ Edgware Road Project in Summer 2013 and at Mathaf Museum of Modern Arab Art, Doha in Spring 2014. The resident artists investigated the possibilities for public life by generating interest in shared spaces, values, and responsibilities over the development of these neighbourhoods that shape our cities.
Commissioned by Serpentine Galleries, Shubbak and the British Council.
For more information, to take part, or to propose an action for A Stage for Any Revolution please contact Projects Curator Amal Khalaf.