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ABSENCED is a performative art exhibition curated by artist and activist Khaled Barakeh in which machines produce and represent the work of artists who were all cancelled, censored, intimidated, punished, or suppressed in Europe for expressing their solidarity with Palestine. It was previously shown in Malmö City Library in 2024.

With the rise of populism, artists face unprecedented levels of censorship, legal repercussions, and threats to their safety for expressing their viewpoints or exploring contentious subjects. It is our collective responsibility to unite our efforts to create open, inclusive, and supportive environments where cultural and artistic expression can flourish without fear or hindrance. ABSENCED responds to these challenges by creating a platform for artists to freely articulate themselves and their rights to ultimate freedom of expression.

The participants are Adam Broomberg (artist), Anti Story (anonymous art project), Bastardilla (street artist), Daniela Ortiz (artist), Ghayath Almadhoun (poet), Halima Aziz (artist), Hamja Ahsan (artist, writer, and curator), John Keane (professor), Johanna Tagada Hoffbeck (artist & cultural practitioner), Liad Hussein Kantorowicz (artist, musician, and feminist activist), Phoebe Walton (architect and designer – Forensic Architecture), Raphaël Malik (photographer), ruangrupa (artists’ initiative and curators), Shahidul Alam (photographer), Taring Padi (artists collective), and Tinne Zenner (artist and filmmaker).

Curator Khaled Barakeh (conceptual artist, activist, and cultural manager)

Exhibition opening: 15th May at 16:30 2025

The exhibition will stand in the Reykjavik City Library Grófin (downtown) until May 25th and is a partnership between Khaled Barakeh, the Reykjavik City Library and the Nordic House, which will be hosting a symposium titled Art & Democracy: Threats to Artistic Freedom on May 20th (free entry).

All ages and languages welcome, the exhibition is free of charge

Event on Facebook

The exhibition is supported by the Nordic Culture Fund and the Nordic Culture Point

Absenced - exhibition