The Use of Aesthetic Practices in Violent Conflicts - Sudan's Creatives in the Midst of War

About the event

Art drawn from personal experience can bear witness to, tell truth about and keep memory of the realities of the battlefield. It has been used to capture emotions and experiences of those affected by violence and to raise awareness about the impact of conflict on a person or a people. Artistic practices act as “a form of, or contribution to, political discourse; as a descriptive, interpretive, or explicitly critical approximation” (Möller 2015:1) that can extend moral imagination and therefore potentially aid in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Sudan has witnessed a diverse tapestry of artistic reactions from its creators in response to its protracted history and present. These responses span a wide array of artistic mediums, ranging from visual arts to music, literature, and performance. This breadth of creative ´expression offers a spectrum of unique perspectives on the realities of violent conflict, reflecting the depth of emotional and intellectual engagement with the subject matter. It’s important to highlight that artistic expression, deeply rooted in Sudanese culture, serves as a vital means of communication, documentation and communal reflection. Examining how art interweaves with experiences of violent conflict within this context yields invaluable insights into the transformative power of creativity amidst adversity.

This event from the Monday Lectures series is organised by the Department of Religious Studies.

Participation is also possible online via Webex: https://uni-erfurt.webex.com/uni-erfurt/j.php?MTID=m2a19f561993391648b55e7fa787b6f49

All interested parties are cordially invited. Registration is not required.