The publication of this special issue of Regards not only highlights the resilience and creativity of Syrian artists but also contributes to the broader discourse on the role of art in times of crisis. It serves as a valuable resource for scholars, artists, and anyone interested in understanding the intersection of art, politics, and social change in the Syrian context.
The Institut d'études scéniques, audiovisuelles et cinématographiques (IESAV) has announced the publication of issue 32 of its journal “Regards”, titled "Knowledge Production in Times of Fragility: An Overview of Syrian Art Production over the Last Decade." This issue marks a significant collaboration with Ettijahat's eighth edition of research, bringing together six compelling research papers in English that explore various aspects of Syrian art and cultural production in the context of recent sociopolitical upheavals.
Background and Significance
The publication of this special issue comes at a crucial time when the role of art in documenting, interpreting, and responding to social and political crises is increasingly recognized. Syrian artists and researchers have been at the forefront of cultural production during a decade marked by conflict, displacement, and profound societal changes. This collection of papers offers a unique insight into how Syrian artists have navigated these challenging times, creating works that reflect the complexities of their experiences.
Content Overview
The journal features six research papers that cover a diverse range of artistic disciplines and themes:
The Homecoming Readings on Theater inside Syria" by Mona Merh: This paper likely examines the evolution of theater within Syria, exploring how performances have adapted to and reflected the changing social landscape.
Sijniyya: New Prison Songs in Sednaya" by Eylaf Bader Eddin: Bader Eddin's research focuses on the emergence of new musical expressions within the notorious Sednaya prison, highlighting the power of art as a form of resistance and survival.
"Marching Backwards into Battle: On the Use of Dignity /'كرامة' in the Syrian Revolution" by Stefan Tarnowski: Tarnowski's paper explores the concept of dignity and its significance in the context of the Syrian revolution, likely examining its representation in various art forms.
Zero Degree Cinema Documenting the Syrian Uprising, and the Utopia of Cinema" by Zaher Omareen: This research delves into the role of cinema in documenting the Syrian uprising, possibly discussing the challenges and ethical considerations faced by filmmakers.
Syrian Art Post-2011: Cause and Aesthetics" by Nour Asalia: Asalia's paper likely provides an overview of the shifts in Syrian art since 2011, examining how the conflict has influenced artistic themes and aesthetics.
Moments of Silence in Syria Place and Self in the State of Exception" by Ammar Al-Mamoun: Al-Mamoun's research appears to explore the concept of silence and its representation in Syrian art, potentially discussing how artists have depicted the psychological impact of living in a state of exception.
This collection of papers represents a significant contribution to the understanding of Syrian art and cultural production in recent years. By bringing together diverse perspectives and focusing on various artistic mediums, the journal offers a comprehensive overview of how Syrian artists have responded to and interpreted their experiences during a tumultuous decade.
Citations:[1] https://www.usj.edu.lb/enseignants/?empid=659&lang=2[2] https://www.academia.edu/42340234/Acts_of_Research_Knowledge_Production_in_Contemporary_Art_between_Knowledge_Economy_and_Critical_Practice[3] https://www.orient-institut.org/fileadmin/user_upload/OI_Beirut/OIB_Annual_Report_2023_ONLINE.pdf[4] https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0752/8/2/45[5] https://mawred.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/OIS6-CulturalPolicy_EN-210223.pdf[6] https://journals.usj.edu.lb/regards/article/view/1207[7] https://journals.usj.edu.lb/regards[8] https://journals.usj.edu.lb/regards/article/view/1207/891[9] https://fondationlibancinema.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/2020-21-Lebanese-Production.pdf[10] https://www.ettijahat.org/uploads/research_framework_en.pdf[11] https://www.govtsmspgcollegeshivpuri.org/uploads/PG_College_Book.pdf[12] https://cultureactioneurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ifa-2024_reitov-whyatt_artistic-freedom_EN.pdf[13] https://www.dohafilminstitute.com/newsletter/Qumra18_Catalogue_Digital_preview.pdf[14] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/17470161221094134[15] https://www.fiafnet.org/programming-game[16] https://bpspsychub.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjso.12609[17] https://www.academia.edu/65101128/Representing_national_traumas_alternative_histories_experimental_art_practices_and_narratives_by_transnational_artists_from_the_Lebanese_war_generation[18] https://academic.oup.com/migration/advance-article/doi/10.1093/migration/mnae009/7635398?login=false[19] https://geb.ffspeleo.fr/IMG/pdf/26thicsb_6thisae_book-of-abstract.pdf[20] https://researchonline.rca.ac.uk/2437/1/AHRC%20publication.pdfMimeta has maintained a strategic partnership with Ettijahat since 2012, providing foundational support for the "Research: To Strengthen the Culture of Knowledge" program
This initiative focuses on building research capacity among Syrian and Palestinian-Syrian cultural practitioners while documenting Syria’s evolving artistic landscape during periods of conflict and displacement[1][9][13].
Key Aspects of the Program
1. Capacity Building:
Annual mentorship for 10–15 early/mid-career researchers (aged 22–40) through grants, training, and academic supervision. Since 2012, it has supported **78 researchers** who produced **70+ studies** across disciplines like theater, visual arts, and digital culture[2][7][12].
2. Publication Framework:
Mimeta specifically supported the Arabic translation and publication of research outputs, including the "A Decade of Arts" trilogy analyzing Syrian artistic production post-2011. This involved collaborations with Mamdouh Adwan Publishing House and translation teams at Saint Joseph University of Beirut[1][4][10].
3. Knowledge Dissemination:
The program distributes research through:
- Academic journals (e.g., *Regards* by IESAV/USJ)
- Public seminars and audio-visual platforms
- Partnerships with 10+ Arab/European institutions[2][7][11]
4. Thematic Focus:
Examines art’s role in contexts of revolution, displacement, and authoritarian resurgence, with papers like those in *A Decade of Arts* addressing:
- Prison songs as resistance (Eylaf Bader Eddin)
- Revolutionary cinema ethics (Zaher Omareen)
- Dignity narratives in protest art (Stefan Tarnowski)[4][5][8]
Impact and Collaborations
The program has created an interdisciplinary network of researchers, with Mimeta’s sustained funding enabling:
- 326 applications received over 7 editions
- 3 books and 14 bilingual papers published
- Partnerships with AFAC, Arab Council for Social Sciences, and academic institutions[2][4][13]
This collaboration reflects Mimeta’s commitment to preserving Syrian cultural memory through rigorous, artist-led research during periods of societal fracture[1][9][13].
Citations:[1] http://www.mimeta.org/mimeta-news/2024/6/24/ettijahat-announces-publication-of-a-decade-of-arts[2] https://ettijahat.org/page/1210?_lang=1[3] http://www.mimeta.org/mimeta-news/tag/Ettijahat[4] https://journals.usj.edu.lb/regards/article/download/1207/891/[5] https://www.ettijahat.org/page/1211[6] https://stories.unesco.de/buildingthefuture[7] https://artistsatriskconnection.org/story/ettijahat-independent-culture[8] https://www.ettijahat.org/page/1252[9] http://www.mimeta.org/mimeta-work/2014/12/19/syria-research-to-strengthen-culture-of-knowledge[10] https://www.facebook.com/mimetaorg/photos/a-decade-of-arts-research-papers-about-syrian-artistic-productionwithin-the-rese/10157610709572024/[11] https://www.ettijahat.org/page/425?_lang=1[12] https://www.facebook.com/Ettijahat/posts/6651184908254801/?locale=zh_TW[13] https://kudos.dfo.no/documents/10832/files/10885.pdf[14] https://www.instagram.com/ettijahat_independent_culture/reel/ClBpG4JDWz2/[15] https://www.facebook.com/Ettijahat/photos/ettijahat-independent-culture-announced-the-names-of-the-selected-researchers-of/1406034159436595/[16] https://rawabet.org/%D8%B9%D9%82%D8%AF%D9%8C-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%86%D9%88%D9%86/?lang=en[17] https://scm.bz/en/ettijahat-announces-the-names-of-researchers-accepted-under-the-fifth-edition-of-research-to-strengthen-culture-of-knowledge/[18] https://www.ibidem.eu/out/media/vlb_9783838214016_2.pdf[19] http://www.mimeta.org/partners/2022/12/2/ettijahatThe summaries are done by Civsy, based on generative AI tools and retrieval-augumented real time data search.
