'Disarming Art – imageries of resistance, connection and revolutionary love' is a new series by Spreken is goud, exploring the art that our times need and featuring artists and cultural practitioners who choose resistance and revolutionary love as a response to today’s dehumanising political reality.

On 17 November, we are launching the series with Work on witnessing, a sofa conversation between Maria Dogahe (programmer at Kaaitheater and co-founder of Caddy for Palestine), Dušica Dražić (artist, co-founder of Out of Sight and researcher at KASK Antwerp) and Sarah Bekambo (writer, spoken word artist and programme curator at Viernulvier), with Aurélie Disasi, also known as Aru Lee (poet, writer, cultural worker, dramaturg and researcher), acting as moderator.

During this sofa discussion, these artists and cultural workers will delve into their work and how they reconcile it, day after day, with their most important task: being fellow human beings.

With the outbreak of the genocide in Gaza, a profound shift took place in the consciousness of the general public. What was considered ‘normal’ was called into question. It is no longer a case of ‘business as usual’. For some, it was a harsh wake-up call; for others, an extreme confirmation of the inhumanity of the status quo.

Each in their own way, the panelists understand the importance of art and culture in creating a more just world and have decided to take responsibility by helping to shape collective consciousness.

The importance of intersectionality and international solidarity, as well as the implications of ‘bearing witness’, are central to this discussion. This choice comes at a cost: the emotional toll is often high, with little and sometimes even no safety net.

This programme is in English.

With ‘Disarming Art – imageries of resistance, connection and revolutionary love’, Spreken is Goud makes room for artists and cultural workers, focusing on art situated at the intersection of culture and social issues. A series in which we reflect on art that engages with the world and brings new imaginations and possibilities to the front. Collective care, transnational solidarity and revolutionary love are means of resistance here and take centre stage.