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Ola Hassanain: The Watching Counsel
Event by: Goethe-Institut Prag, Galerie Rudolfinum, Jindrich Chalupecky Society
Location: Galerie Rudolfinum, Alšovo nábřeží 12, Praha 1
Discussions and lectures, Art Exhibitions
About event
We cordially invite you to the project of artist and architect Ola Hassanain The Watching Counsel.
79/12, Prague 1
CONCEPT AUTHOR: Ola Hassanain
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: Pelumi Adejumo, Simnikiwe Buhlungu, Critical Tech Group, Zara Julius, Tamara Kametani, Magdi Masaraa & JJJJJerome Ellis, Vojtěch Radakulan, rivermoans
CURATOR: simona markel dvorák
The Watching Counsel (Council of Onlookers) deals with the concept of (un)inhabitability in relation to ecological and political instability and the fragmented reality of the present. It opens up space for new forms of collective care, participation and responsibility. The author of the concept and spatial installation is the artist and architect Ola Hassanain, who develops it in dialogue with the curator simona markel dvorák. They thus call for a renewed awareness of the interconnections between places, bodies, species, politics and climate. Part of The Watching Counsel are the contributions of invited artists set in an immersive soundscape that permeates the hall of Prague's Rudolfinum.
In her work, Ola Hassanain examines how political, ecological and historical systems are prescribed in the built environment. Following this approach, The Watching Counsel creates a temporary shared space permeated with sound compositions, performances and reflections on the interconnectedness of the planetary whole – from the changing color of water, its texture and river flow to the displacement and ecological devastation associated with war. These disasters are linked to global struggles for land, gold, lithium and other mining resources.
The conceptual and visual core of the installation are clay islands with hibiscus, reacting to the presence of water and light. They refer to the house of Ola Hassanain's grandmother in the Gezira region, one of the largest agricultural projects in Africa, where interventions in the irrigation infrastructure gradually undermined the stability of the clay soil and led to the collapse of the house. The installation thus connects personal experience with the themes of infrastructure, environmental changes and the climate crisis.
The Watching Counsel takes place as part of the Café Chalupecký: Dialogues at the Interface cycle and is also part of the accompanying public program to the exhibition DATAS {The Data and the Sovereign}, an international art and research project that brings together artists, theorists and technological experts to explore how digital infrastructures, artificial intelligence and algorithmic control they affect both personal and political sovereignty. DATAS explores the mechanisms of surveillance capitalism, technological extractivism and the erosion of democratic agency
You can find more about the project at https://www.sjch.cz/program/dialogy-na-rozhrani-ola-hassanain-the-watching-counsel/
The event is held with the kind support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, the City Hall of Prague, the Goethe Institut Sudan, the Goethe Institut Czech Republic, the Mondriaan Fund and the Culture Moves Europe program.
photo: Peter Tijhuis
//
EN
We cordially invite you to “The Watching Counsel,” a project by artist and architect Ola Hassanain.
📅 WHEN: June 13, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 WHERE: Rudolfinum – Ceremony Hall, Alsovo nabr. 79/12, Prague 1
CONCEPT BY: Ola Hassanain
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: Pelumi Adejumo, Simnikiwe Buhlungu, Critical Tech Group, Zara Julius, Tamara Kametani, Magdi Masaraa & JJJJJerome Ellis, Vojtěch Radakulan, rivermoans
CURATOR: simona markel dvorák
The Watching Counsel addresses the notion of (un)habitability in relation to ecological, political instabilities and the fragmented realities of the present. It generates new forms of care, participation and collective agency. Conceived and spatially designed by artist and architect Ola Hassanain, the project unfolds in dialogue with curator Simona Markel Dvorák. Together, they foreground the intensifying interconnectedness of global events that increasingly destabilize and fragilize life at its deepest levels, calling for renewed awareness of the interdependence between places, bodies, species, politics, and climate. The project presents contributions by invited artists within a soundscape that permeates the great hall of the Rudolfinum in Prague.
Ola Hassanain's practice investigates how political, ecological, and historical systems become visible through built environments. Following this approach, The Watching Counsel creates a temporarily shared space punctuated by sound compositions, performances and reflections on a unified planetary body - from the changing color, texture and flow of river water to war-related displacement and ecological devastation. These catastrophes are linked to global struggles over land, gold, lithium, and other extractive resources. The project also asks what material and social conditions these processes create for the future and what form of "ecology of repair" are we able to imagine today?
The conceptual and visual core of the installation consists of clay islands with hibiscus, responding to the presence of water and light. They reference Ola Hassanain's grandmother's house in the Gezira region, part of one of Africa's largest agricultural schemes. Built in the 1930s alongside new irrigation infrastructures, the house was gradually destabilized as changes and mismanagement of water supply altered the clay soil, eventually causing structural cracks and collapse. These materials thus connect personal experience with broader themes of infrastructure, environmental change and the climate crisis.
The Watching Counsel is a part of series Café Chalupecký: In-Between-Dialogues and is also part of the accompanying public program for the exhibition DATAS {The Data and the Sovereign}, an international art and research project that brings together artists, theorists, and technological experts to explore how digital infrastructures, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic governance affect personal and political sovereignty. DATAS explores the mechanisms of surveillance capitalism, technological extractivism, and the erosion of democratic agency.
With the kind support of Ministry of culture of the Czech Republic, City of Prague, Goethe-Institut Sudan, Goethe-Institut Czech Republic, Mondriaan Fund and program Culture Moves Europe.
photo: Peter Tijhuis
79/12, Prague 1
CONCEPT AUTHOR: Ola Hassanain
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: Pelumi Adejumo, Simnikiwe Buhlungu, Critical Tech Group, Zara Julius, Tamara Kametani, Magdi Masaraa & JJJJJerome Ellis, Vojtěch Radakulan, rivermoans
CURATOR: simona markel dvorák
The Watching Counsel (Council of Onlookers) deals with the concept of (un)inhabitability in relation to ecological and political instability and the fragmented reality of the present. It opens up space for new forms of collective care, participation and responsibility. The author of the concept and spatial installation is the artist and architect Ola Hassanain, who develops it in dialogue with the curator simona markel dvorák. They thus call for a renewed awareness of the interconnections between places, bodies, species, politics and climate. Part of The Watching Counsel are the contributions of invited artists set in an immersive soundscape that permeates the hall of Prague's Rudolfinum.
In her work, Ola Hassanain examines how political, ecological and historical systems are prescribed in the built environment. Following this approach, The Watching Counsel creates a temporary shared space permeated with sound compositions, performances and reflections on the interconnectedness of the planetary whole – from the changing color of water, its texture and river flow to the displacement and ecological devastation associated with war. These disasters are linked to global struggles for land, gold, lithium and other mining resources.
The conceptual and visual core of the installation are clay islands with hibiscus, reacting to the presence of water and light. They refer to the house of Ola Hassanain's grandmother in the Gezira region, one of the largest agricultural projects in Africa, where interventions in the irrigation infrastructure gradually undermined the stability of the clay soil and led to the collapse of the house. The installation thus connects personal experience with the themes of infrastructure, environmental changes and the climate crisis.
The Watching Counsel takes place as part of the Café Chalupecký: Dialogues at the Interface cycle and is also part of the accompanying public program to the exhibition DATAS {The Data and the Sovereign}, an international art and research project that brings together artists, theorists and technological experts to explore how digital infrastructures, artificial intelligence and algorithmic control they affect both personal and political sovereignty. DATAS explores the mechanisms of surveillance capitalism, technological extractivism and the erosion of democratic agency
You can find more about the project at https://www.sjch.cz/program/dialogy-na-rozhrani-ola-hassanain-the-watching-counsel/
The event is held with the kind support of the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic, the City Hall of Prague, the Goethe Institut Sudan, the Goethe Institut Czech Republic, the Mondriaan Fund and the Culture Moves Europe program.
photo: Peter Tijhuis
//
EN
We cordially invite you to “The Watching Counsel,” a project by artist and architect Ola Hassanain.
📅 WHEN: June 13, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 WHERE: Rudolfinum – Ceremony Hall, Alsovo nabr. 79/12, Prague 1
CONCEPT BY: Ola Hassanain
PARTICIPATING ARTISTS: Pelumi Adejumo, Simnikiwe Buhlungu, Critical Tech Group, Zara Julius, Tamara Kametani, Magdi Masaraa & JJJJJerome Ellis, Vojtěch Radakulan, rivermoans
CURATOR: simona markel dvorák
The Watching Counsel addresses the notion of (un)habitability in relation to ecological, political instabilities and the fragmented realities of the present. It generates new forms of care, participation and collective agency. Conceived and spatially designed by artist and architect Ola Hassanain, the project unfolds in dialogue with curator Simona Markel Dvorák. Together, they foreground the intensifying interconnectedness of global events that increasingly destabilize and fragilize life at its deepest levels, calling for renewed awareness of the interdependence between places, bodies, species, politics, and climate. The project presents contributions by invited artists within a soundscape that permeates the great hall of the Rudolfinum in Prague.
Ola Hassanain's practice investigates how political, ecological, and historical systems become visible through built environments. Following this approach, The Watching Counsel creates a temporarily shared space punctuated by sound compositions, performances and reflections on a unified planetary body - from the changing color, texture and flow of river water to war-related displacement and ecological devastation. These catastrophes are linked to global struggles over land, gold, lithium, and other extractive resources. The project also asks what material and social conditions these processes create for the future and what form of "ecology of repair" are we able to imagine today?
The conceptual and visual core of the installation consists of clay islands with hibiscus, responding to the presence of water and light. They reference Ola Hassanain's grandmother's house in the Gezira region, part of one of Africa's largest agricultural schemes. Built in the 1930s alongside new irrigation infrastructures, the house was gradually destabilized as changes and mismanagement of water supply altered the clay soil, eventually causing structural cracks and collapse. These materials thus connect personal experience with broader themes of infrastructure, environmental change and the climate crisis.
The Watching Counsel is a part of series Café Chalupecký: In-Between-Dialogues and is also part of the accompanying public program for the exhibition DATAS {The Data and the Sovereign}, an international art and research project that brings together artists, theorists, and technological experts to explore how digital infrastructures, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic governance affect personal and political sovereignty. DATAS explores the mechanisms of surveillance capitalism, technological extractivism, and the erosion of democratic agency.
With the kind support of Ministry of culture of the Czech Republic, City of Prague, Goethe-Institut Sudan, Goethe-Institut Czech Republic, Mondriaan Fund and program Culture Moves Europe.
photo: Peter Tijhuis