Poetic Testimony

With Helene Kazan

Ages 17+

In English

This three-day course, led by Sharjah Biennial 16 artist Helene Kazan, examines the process that leads to poetic testimony. Drawing on feminist methodology, the course builds on the original meaning of ‘poetic’, which comes from ‘poiesis’, meaning ‘to make’ or ‘to form’ in Greek.

What are the practical aspects of ‘poetic testimony’? How could it be related to embodied experiences of violence? How can it become part of an expanded testimony given in a court of law and beyond?

Poetic methods sit in noticeable tension with technical forms of evidence-making in legal institutions dispensing justice. However, the need and reason for giving testimony do not reside only in the spaces of law.

An investigation of the colonial foundations of international law and its ongoing impact begs an important argument—both poetic and forensic methods are vital for establishing accountability.
 

This session is free, and all materials are provided by Sharjah Art Foundation.

About Helene Kazan

The work of artist and writer Helene Kazan privileges embodied knowledge in the form of poetic testimony, a process that aims towards a necessary expanded and holistic framing of testimony in its interaction and recognition within the spaces of the law and beyond. A Senior Lecturer in Fine Art Critical Theory at Oxford Brookes University, Kazan received her doctorate from the Centre for Research Architecture, Goldsmiths, University of London (2019). Her work has been presented widely in international institutions, including RADAR, Loughborough (2025); KARST, Plymouth (2024); Beirut Art Center (2023); e-flux (2022); maatEXT & Art Jameel, Lisbon (2022); Ashkal Alwan, Beirut (2019); Vera List Center, New School, New York (2018); Serpentine Gallery, London (2017); Tate, London (2015) and House of World Cultures (HKW), Berlin (2014).

The Foundation is committed to making its programmes inclusive and accessible. You will find disability access symbols indicating accessibility for all sessions on the registration form. Kindly contact us in advance to arrange for any support needed.

For more information, email learning@sharjahart.org or call 06 568 5050.