Project R-15619

WITHIN THE PALE (Research)

WITHIN THE PALE examines the visual language systems in post-war Middle East and North Africa. The research clusters plastic expressions shaped by various forms of censorship into a morphology. It also explores the transformative potential of creative strategies amidst socio-political constraints. Through five research questions, the research examines the basis for censorship in authoritarian regimes, artistic responses to restrictions, strategies employed, the impact of state censorship on creativity, and the persistent effects of (self-)censorship in the current artistic practices of diasporic artists. In doing so, it contributes on a very current and social debate. The exceptional position of the researcher with a dual cultural background and an extensive artistic practice, ensures that the research fits perfectly, in terms of content and methodology, with the research line of FRAME, part of the research in the arts within MAD-Research of PXL-MAD and UHasselt. The proposed methodology is based on traditional literature research, on a debate with stakeholders, on an artistic practice, and on the research line of FRAME. Hereby, insight into counter-discourse and resistance strategies in the artistic field is offered on a meta-level. The research results in various written, visual, and pedagogical outcomes in a collaborative and interdisciplinary manner with artists, scientists, scholars, students and audiences.

01 February 2025 - 31 January 2027