11/01/2022

January 2022 News // Letter

 

Dear friends, colleagues, culture & art lovers,



I hope this email finds you well.

Firstly, happy new year and best wishes for 2022!


For everyone, 2021 has been full of ups and downs, and probably a lot of disappointments, losses, frustrations... It's also been a time full of success and hard work for so many.


I, however, truly believe that what the world needs more than ever is to think collectively and to invest in safe and sane interdependence. For our planet, our healthcare systems, in education, in politics, and of course, closer to our team at UWE Bristol, in media/news production.


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For those of you interested in my work as a journalist and art commentator, here is the latest, about Art, Writing, Music & Multiculturalism.


On John Berger's 'Ways of Seeing' @ 50 & Lubaina Himid - BBC Radio 4



Five writers talk about looking at pictures, to mark the 50th anniversary of Ways of Seeing - the 1972 TV series presented by John Berger and its accompanying book.


Listen here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00132xf



African & Diaspora Artists in Britain:

Conversation with Dr Anne Harbin - UWE / Arnolfini, Bristol


ART HISTORY - 'Here, there… Evenwhere': A personal history of 60 years of African and African diaspora Artists at Arnolfini.



Watch our conversation here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDwTAuC5Ls4


Read the book here:

https://arnolfini.org.uk/app/uploads/2021/10/African_Arnolfini_DigitalPDF_165x230mm_AW.3.pdf





Out of Algeria


A text about contemporary artists who are dear to my heart, for the new magazine the Journal of Creative Pursuit, issue nb#2:


"A publication that explores social and cultural issues through creative work. Acknowledging the systemic inequalities within the creative industries, this publication seeks to diversify the narratives it creates. We aim to bring attention to creatives who are underrepresented on the global scale. We hope that through the stories and discussions we have with creatives from different parts of the world, we can shed light on some cultural and social issues that various communities face."





On Arabic Music


New column... for The Markaz Review.


First episode:

Electronic Music in Riyadh?

https://themarkaz.org/electronic-music-in-riyadh/

Electronic music is trending in the Arab world and Iran, but is Saudi Arabia the best place to showcase it?


Read, react and share if you care.


Part II: Music in the Middle East: Business can’t Buy Authenticity

https://themarkaz.org/music-in-the-middle-east-business-cant-buy-authenticity/


Multiculturalism in British Music


TIMES OF REINVENTIONS: HOW BRISTOL MUSIC SCENE EVOLVED IN THE MID 1990’S


For BIMM Bristol - read here:

https://blog.bimm.co.uk/times-of-reinventions-how-the-bristol-music-scene-evolved-in-the-1990s-mmu






'Writing for Change:

Can Words Truly Inspire a Better World?'

Lastly, this discussion from the Working-Class Writers Festival, which took place in October 2021 in Bristol, is now available to listen online.

Insight into the previous themes mentioned but also a class perspective:





Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht0oyC23cGQ&list=PL2j4bv2AiVXIy8XkIGy1Y_IiOVQkTJs9w&index=11



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My next article will be about Britain and its colonial past... how it still impacts us and how artists are reacting to it. Then I'll write about artists from different parts of the world.


I'll be in Marseille soon, and hopefully later in the year in Liverpool then Berlin. If you're there, let's create a discussion!


I wish you all a new year of great music, art and events, hopefully. Let's make the most of 2022.


With my very best wishes,

melissa


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Melissa Chemam

Writer, Journalist, Researcher

Lecturer in Media & Journalism (Bristol)

Writer in residence at Arnolfini Art Gallery

E: melissa.journalist@gmail.com

W: https://sites.google.com/view/melissachemam



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