The International Institute for Peace (IIP) cordially invites you to the hybrid (zoom and limited participants) exhibition of Solomon OKPURUKHRE which will be accompanied with a talk on the topic:
“PEACE: Reflections on Africa”
Exhibition and Talk
Date: Thursday, 24 June 2021
Time: 6:00 PM (CEST)
Venue: Zoom link will be sent to registered participants
Artist: Solomon Okpurukhre
Panelists:
SOLOMON OKPURUKHRE: Visual artist, Painter, sculptor, Graphic designer, and Curator, Nigeria/Austria
VICTOR OCHEN (via zoom): Founder and Executive Director for African Youth Initiative Network, Uganda, member of the Global Advisory Group to the UNHCR on Gender, Forced Displacement and Protection
MIHRET KEBEDE: Co-founder of Tobiya poetic Jazz, Netsa Art Village Artist Collective, and Addis Video Art festival
HANNES SWOBODA: President IIP, former MEP
FRANZ SCHMIDJELL: Vienna Centre for Dialogue and Cooperation, Deputy manager, Global Dialogue African Politics
Moderation:
STEPHANIE FENKART, Director of the IIP
Content:
On the occasion of the opening of the exhibition of Solomon Okpurukhre on the topic “Peace: Reflections on Africa”, the experts from the fields of art, peaceful conflict resolution and politics will discuss the power of art in peace-building, and how talking about peace connects people across cultures and from different countries. Peace is more than absence of war, it is about engaging people, engaging the youth in non-violent means and ownership for their future. Peace is not a process, it is a way of life, with multilayered facets which include politics, awareness, dealing with the past, present and future and which goes beyond status and economic means. It is about the respect and fulfilment of human rights, ownership, and the idea that everyone profits from peaceful societies.
Art is an extremely important additional tool to bring topics to the attention of people. To show different realities, to play with emotions and experiences and to look at events happening on the ground and shaping the future. Art can open up dimensions of contradictions to people who are not frequently dealing with conflicts and wars from a political or expert point of view. Contrary to policies, art does not give recommendations. It places the visitor at the center, letting him explore, understand, feel, reflect, and conclude.
The talk will try to tackle some of the issues mentioned above. How does peace-building work on the ground? What is successful, what are the biggest challenges? How can the EU support African countries and its citizens to actively participate? How can a new narrative about Africa and its diversity be created? A narrative which goes far beyond the notions of colonialism, wars, corruption and natural resources. A narrative which portrays Africa and its people as diverse, prosperous and as an equal partner on the global stage.
The discussion will be held in English.
Limited seats for people which have a negative covid-19 test, are vaccinated, or cured are available. Please indicate, if you plan to come in person. First come first serve.
PLEASE SHARE WITH YOUR NETWORK!
You can also find the event on our homepage
https://www.iipvienna.com/event-calendar
as well as on Facebook
By participating in this event, you agree that any photos or recordings taken that include footage of your person may be published or used in any other way by the organizers of the event.
If you do not want to receive emails anymore, please write to registration@iip.at .