JEDDAH – By definition, education is the acquisition of knowledge and the development of powers of reasoning. If knowledge is power, then the production of knowledge is a command just as influential. It is this notion, the production of knowledge and understanding, which is to be deconstructed and explored. This group exhibition is specifically curated to create a dialogue between artists and audience in a bid to question the diffusion of information, notions of knowledge and truth as well as the power of misinformation. Al Madad Foundation and Athr Gallery are pleased to announce Pen to Paper, a group exhibition based on notions around knowledge. Education is one of the greatest gifts to be granted and literacy one of the most potent skills achievable. In a world where one's circumstances are ever irresolute, the ability to read and write not only becomes a valuable transferable skill but also a tool to emancipate and empower. The tradition of using words in, and as, art has very much evolved alongside the religion of Islam and the Arabic language. Rather than relating to the spoken word, historically, the art of using text as an expressive language explicitly drew on spirituality. The Qur'an has played an important role in the development and evolution of the Arabic language, as proverbs and passages are sources of Islamic calligraphy. Pen to Paper is an extension of such heritage, projecting it within a contemporary realm, exploring how art gives form to semiotics. From record taking, to documentation and storytelling, language surpasses history and transcends cultures. The ability to think critically about the written word is what makes us literate. In a world where possessions and belongings are ephemeral, the state of our surroundings is insecure and questionable, making the transferable skill of expression through language and art that much more poignant. The value of the written word is one of expression and liberation. Pen to Papers' curatorial process is an inclusive one that invites collectors to respond to the proposed concept and participate in selecting a loaned artwork for the show. The chosen artwork is one that the collector feels reflects the cause in question, creating discourse and reflection around it. The aim is to encourage collectors' involvement beyond the contribution of funds, but rather in a more participatory capacity by contribution to the creative and curatorial process of the exhibition. Pen to Paper will serve as an arena to display the invaluable pieces accumulated across the region and give the main contributors and supporters of the contemporary art world a platform not only to showcase their acquisitions but also to share the understandings and reasoning behind their choices, in a bid to plant the seed of inspiration among future generations. Some of the artists featured in the show include, Moataz Nasr, Giovanni Ozzola, Ziad Antar, Larissa Sansour, Nasser Al Salem, Tammam Azzam, UBIK, Yara El-Sherbini, Abdulnasser Gharem, Eve Arnold, Xu Bing. Pen To Paper exhibition opens Feb. 26 from 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm at Athr Gallery. – SG
