Reading Group Out of Margin: A Transnational Perspective – Theory Jessica Wan

BOOK HERE

Identity is not as transparent or unproblematic as we think. Perhaps instead of thinking of identity as an already accomplished fact, which the new cultural practices then represent, we should think, instead, of identity as a ‘production’, which is never complete, always in process, and always constituted within, not outside, representation. — Stuart Hall, Cultural Identity and Diaspora, 1997.

Join us to collectively read and discuss texts that think through practices in relation to ‘Identity, Migration and Diaspora’ in the transnational world.

At a time of globalised conflicts, environmental changes, and economic disparities propelling vast populations across borders, what are the roles of imaginative rediscovery and hidden stories in reshaping the narratives of our cultural identity? How do we find belongings and rebuild communities from the ruins of war and the struggles of exile?

This reading group delves into the rich tapestry of diasporic experiences as an empowering and creative force to emergent forms of representation among resilient communities and groups across the globe.

Reading materials will be shared with registered participants by email. Advance reading is not compulsory but highly encouraged to inspire our discussions.

Selected extracts

• ‘Art & Black Consciousness’, by Rasheed Araeen, 1982.
• ‘What is a Theorist?’, Irit Rogoff, 1994.
• ‘Diaspora Aesthetics: Black British Storytelling through Photographic slides’ by Kaitlene Koranteng, 2023.

Accessibility

If you have any access requirements, please email us in advance at info@iniva.org and we will do our best to accommodate. Extracts of the texts will be provided on the day.

Biography

Jessica Wan is a curator and writer who works to rethink access from the perspectives of transnationalism, migration and feminist thought. Dedicated to exploring how knowledge and inhabitation is produced through fugitivity and entanglement, her research focuses on radical pedagogies and artistic practices that reflect on ecology, diaspora and collective study. She has lectured and facilitated workshops at the Chelsea College of Arts, Tate, iniva and TrAIN.