Palestinian Hospitality is a combined intervention, delegated performance and audio guide that draws inspiration from the exhibition Palestinian Artists organized by The Plastic Arts Section P.L.O and Kunstnernes Hus, Oslo, in 1981. Here 16 Palestinian artists were exhibited, among others Samia Halaby, Mona Saudi and Mustafa Al -Hallaj. In interviews, they emphasize how important the collaboration with Norwegian artists was in the process of the exhibition. After her stay, Halaby wanted to donate her works to the Norwegian working class as a thank you, whilst Saudi contacted the UN to donate a sculpture.*
The title “Palestinian Hospitality” springs from an interview with Halaby conducted in 2024 on behalf of Fiksdal and Siljeholm. Halaby, who lives and works in the USA, recently had a solo exhibition canceled at Indiana University, an exhibition that would have been the 87-year-old’s first retrospective in the USA: “Clearly the intent is to suppress Palestinian voices at this very time.”** In the context of Masahat 2024, the public gets to meet Samia Halaby in the service of art, politics and revolution.
*Source: Kunstnernes Hus’ archive at the National Museum, Oslo.
**Samia Halaby to Hyperallergic, 11.1.24
For more information and registration, visit: Event page
Created by: Ingri Fiksdal and Helle Siljeholm
Sound editing: Therese Næss Diesen
Commissioned and produced by : Masahat festival, Oslo
Photos: Mira Adoumier
For upcoming performances, see Tour Dates »