Abu Dhabi Art 2011

See the video here!

Photographer Lily Bandak on art and disability in the Arab world

Lily Bandak, Beirut, 1982


Photographer Lily Bandak speaks about her career in photography and disability.

Arabic Oldies: Najat Essaghira

Parastou Forouhar wins Sophie von la Roche award

Kharavan Butterfly, above.
See the story and hear Forouhar discuss her work here on BBC.

Moving site-specific artworks

The film The Art of the Steal discusses the Barnes Foundation's controversial move from Merion, PA, to downtown Philly. You can also read my review of the film here, on my personal blog.

Should site-specific works be allowed to be moved? And who gets to determine this - and how long after the artist or owner of the work passes away do their wishes continue to be honored? For another case involving moving and dismantling of site-specific works that generated controversy, see Richard Serra's Tilted Arc.

The Sheikh and I

This film looks really interesting, as it explores a lot of the issues and controversy around recreating Western-style concepts of free speech, public spaces, art, and art delivery mechanisms in the Arab Gulf. I will have to find a way to track it down!

More of the backstory on Zahedi's film here.

James Cuno on the Encyclopedic Museum & Its Value

See his talk at Zocalo from this week here.