27 June 2011

Between Kismet and Karma launch event

All are invited to the launch of two publications celebrating the legacy of the Between Kisemt and Karma project, to be held today (27 June) at 2pm in the Workshop Theatre, School of English.

The event continues at 6.15pm in the Clothworkers' Centenary Hall.

Between Kismet and Karma: South Asian Women Artists Respond to Conflict programme (BKK), a powerful, cutting-edge and provocative project showcased a wide range of genres, including contemporary visual art, film, performance and literature produced by women artists from South Asia, drew in over 144,500 visitors.

The event will launch the special issue of the South Asian Popular Culture journal devoted to BKK, as well as the exhibition catalogue published by Shisha. It is geared to those interested in the creative arts, music, film, academia, literature, gender-based issues, conflict studies and thoughtful, challenging dialogue. Highlights include:

  • A performance of Nowhere to Belong: Tales of an Extravagant Stranger by acclaimed journalist and political commentator, Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, where she explores her life-long love of Shakespeare. 
  • A panel discussion covering issues of conflict and the South Asian woman's experience, featuring amongst others, writer and Newsnight Review regular, Bidisha, and the human rights campaigner and CEO of Karma Nirvana, Jaswinder Sanghera.
  • A dynamic musical response to the BKK programme by international DJ and Beatboxer, Jason Singh.
  • Opportunities to buy a range of publications, including, Between Kismet and Karma and Shisha's complete back catalogue.

Between Kismet and Karma was conceived and delivered by Shisha and the University of Leeds in partnership with several high profile arts and cultural venues in the UK from January to May 2010. It explored how conflict operates within different but interconnecting sites in South Asia. It included, along with artist residencies, literary interventions, a film season and performances, a highly celebrated exhibition at Leeds Art Gallery and an associated academic conference, Beyond Borders.

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