ARTEculations from ITERARTE

Exploring Trauma and Memory with Majd Abdel Hamid Welcome to Articulations. In this episode, we are joined by Palestinian artist Majd Abdel Hamid, who delves into themes of trauma, memory, and lived experience through his intricate textile works. Majd shares his accidental journey into the arts, the intersection between mathematics and art, and how he employs traditional craft techniques to address contemporary realities. Tune in as Majd discusses his method of using cross-stitch embroidery to document political and personal experiences, his philosophical approach to art, and the profound impact of living between Ramallah, Beirut, and Paris on his work. 00:00 Introduction to Majd Abdel Hamid 01:43 Majd's Artistic Journey 02:42 Intersections of Math and Art 05:06 The Role of Embroidery in Majd's Work 06:24 Documenting Trauma and Memory 07:11 Living Between Cities 08:11 The Impact of the Syrian War 20:16 The Beirut Explosion and Its Aftermath 26:25 Exploring the Archive of Intensity 26:53 Navigating Personal and Collective Experiences 27:49 Identity and Representation in Art 28:19 The Role of Art in Society 28:26 A Journey Through Personal History 29:00 The Impact of the Beirut Explosion 29:47 Art as a Response to Trauma 32:39 The Philosophy of Resourcefulness 36:32 Challenging Conventional Documentation 40:07 The Evolution of Artistic Practice 40:37 The Intersection of Art and Memory 41:21 Daydreaming and Artistic Inspiration 47:52 The Universality of Textiles 49:23 Concluding Thoughts and Future Work

In this episode of Articulations, we sit down with Elif Uras, whose remarkable journey from law to visual arts exemplifies the unexpected paths that can lead to artistic innovation. Through her masterful integration of traditional Iznik ceramics with contemporary themes, Uras explores the complexities of gender, labor, and cultural identity. Join us for an illuminating conversation about how her work bridges East and West, tradition and modernity, creating a unique visual language that speaks to our globalized world.Duration:31.23 Released: 05 June 2025Music excerpt from Glassworks,Music Composed and arranged by Philip Glass. Produced by Kurt Munkacsi / Philip Glass. Michael Riesman, Conductor, © 1982 Sony Music Entertainment Inc.00:00 Introduction to Articulations Podcast 00:50 Meet Elif Uras: From Law to Art 01:05 Exploring Elif Uras' Artistic Practice 01:22 Cultural Influences and Artistic Traditions 01:33 Exhibitions and Feminized Labor 02:14 Welcome Elif Uras 02:19 Elif's Transcultural Journey

In this episode of Articulations by ITERARTE, Laura Egerton converses with Tamara Chalabi about her co-curated exhibition 'Beneath the Gaze of the Palms' hosted in Riyadh during the Common Grounds Festival in December 2024. The art show, which explores themes of identity, heritage, nature, and migration, features works from both Saudi and Iraqi artists. The dialogue delves into the exhibition's inception, challenges, thematic structure, and significant installations, and highlights the cultural and historical connections between Saudi Arabia and Iraq.

In this episode of Arteculations, co-founder Tamara Chalabi speaks with Iliodora Margelos, a multidisciplinary artist from Athens, Greece, known for her unique visual language using steel wire screens and embroidery. They discuss Margelos' collaboration with Inaash, an organization supporting Palestinian women in refugee camps, to create the 'Stoking Embers' embroidery series.Margelos shares insights into her process, the influence of motherhood, and how her art bridges cultural and geographic divides. The conversation also touches upon her inspirations, the evolution of her work towards a more sculptural approach, and her future projects.

In this episode, we explore the complex and often lonely path of becoming an artist. Our guest shares their personal struggle, having faced a pivotal decision between pursuing medical school and art school. They delve into the concept of duality, explaining how opposing ideas can coexist without contradiction. The conversation touches on the importance of self-belief, the challenges of understanding the 'rules' of the game, and the crucial skill of knowing when to let go of what isn't working. Tune in for an insightful discussion on balancing passion and practicality.

In this episode of 'Articulations by ITERARTE,' co-founder Tamara Chalabi sits down with Lebanese artist Marwan Sahramani. They discuss Sahramani's rich canvas paintings, his inspirations and techniques, and the emotional essence of his work. The conversation explores Sahramani's artistic practice in the mountains of Tarbena, Spain, and by the sea in Lebanon, delving into light, color, emotional expression, and the influence of philosopher Emmanuel Levinas. Sahramani also reflects on his childhood, artistic journey, and the impact of historical and contemporary events on his creations.Music excerpt: Shit September by Gagmesharkoff

In this episode of the Articulation Podcast, host Tamara dives deep into the artistic journey of painter Maryam, focusing on her latest series 'Seven Shades of Blood.' This poignant series of seven paintings highlights the fight for women's rights, influenced heavily by recent events in Iran. Maryam discusses her exploration of race, self-censorship, and the cultural significance of hair in her works. She also sheds light on her background in miniature painting from Tehran and how her move to Belgium influenced her practice. The conversation covers her prior series 'Colorblind Society' and its emphasis on censorship, as well as her academic journey and emotional struggles adapting to new cultural environments. Finally, Maryam previews her upcoming project inspired by Egyptian surrealism and the censorship of art from the Middle East. Join us for this comprehensive discussion about art, identity, and the power of expression.Music extract from Mohammad Reza Shajarian, Saz-O-Avaz Pt.1

oin us as we step into Lydia's studio and explore the intricate world of fragmentation in her art. Discover her unique process of collecting and deconstructing found objects, the significance of layering, and how themes of beauty, decay, and memory manifest in her work. Dive deep into the art of transitioning from random discarded items to meaningful narratives through painting and textiles, while understanding the personal and universal symbolism of colors, particularly pink. Lydia also shares how her Greek heritage and inspiration from nature play crucial roles in her creative journey. This episode provides a thoughtful dialogue on slowing down to appreciate the beauty in everyday objects and the endless potential of artistic transformation.

Join Tamara Chalabi, co-founder of ITER Arte, as she converses with artist and poet Paolo Colombo from Athens, Greece, in this episode of Articulation Podcasts. They delve into Paolo's upcoming exhibition at Burt Gallery in Los Angeles, featuring his unique watercolor mosaic technique inspired by ancient muses. Discover Colombo's artistic journey, his influences, the rich historical ties in his work, and a special embroidery collaboration titled 'After Gold'. Listen in to gain insights into his creative process, his thematic focus on fleeting moments and eternal pictures, and the intricate relationship between text and image in his art. Don't miss this engaging dialogue on the evolution and depth of Colombo's art.

With Nidhi Khurana about her debut solo exhibition Traces of ExistenceJoin us for the inaugural exhibition of ITERARTE, 'Traces of Existence: Place Between Places,' featuring a solo show by artist Nidhi Khurana. Curated by Tamara Chalabi, co-founder of ITERARTE, this episode explores the inspirations, techniques, and the deep-seated roots of Khurana's work. Listen in as Khurana discusses her unique use of maps, historical and cosmological narratives, and various traditional techniques such as natural dyes, stitching, and the application of gold and silver in her intricate artworks. Don't miss this insightful conversation that delves into themes of memory, place, and the evolving nature of art itself.

During her residency at Westwerk, Nidhi collaborated with Dr. Pranjal Trivedi, astrophysicsresearcher at Hamburg Observatory, University of Hamburg, delving into cosmic mysteriesmapped across space and time. Pranjal’s research focused on the nature of dark matter and onthe origin and evolution of cosmic magnetic fields.We (both the artist and scientist) are made of cosmic dust and the gold and silver used in the artwork were forged in the belly of the stars only to be scattered across the galaxy bysupernovae. The collaboration is a continuous conversation of creative exchange thatinterrogates changing perceptions and mappings of the sky over the last 500 years; from atableau for creation myths to a celestial compass useful for locating ourselves to navigateacross the seas.Peter Whitfield in Mapping the Heavens wrote "The desire to observe, chart and understand a realm of the universe that was permanently beyond the reach of direct experience was driven by intellectual curiosity in its purest forms.”