Annual Stuart Hall Public Conversation with Isaac Julien

The Stuart Hall Foundation welcomes Isaac Julien for the inaugural event in its Catastrophe and Emergence programme, the Foundation’s 7th Annual Stuart Hall Public Conversation at Conway Hall, London, on Saturday 23rd March 2024.

Isaac’s keynote presentation will focus on the current state of the imaginary, exploring the connection between image-making and political allegory. He will draw upon the conversations he had with Stuart Hall over the years to reflect on how ideas, language and narrative strategies can transform within a visual frame, to present new modes of the imaginary. Isaac will discuss the connections between his art practice and the “diasporic dream-space” inspired by the words of the late bell hooks, to think about the different ways in which a poetic critique and counter-imaginary can develop. 

The event will include a new two-screen presentation of Isaac Julien’s immersive installation Once Again… (Statues Never Die), which will be the first time the piece has been shown in this particular format in the UK. Drawing on Julien’s extensive research in the archives of the Barnes Foundation, the film explores the reciprocal impact of Alain Locke’s political philosophy and cultural organising activities, and Albert C. Barnes’ pioneering art collecting and democratic, inclusive educational enterprise. *Please note that this film contains nudity.*

Following the keynote and screening, Isaac will be in conversation with Stuart Hall Foundation Chair, and Director of the Whitechapel Gallery, Gilane Tawadros. 

Full details of the the Catastrophe and Emergence programme here.

Attendees can either attend in person at Conway Hall in London, UK, or join online via a livestream. 

Tickets are now on sale and cost £20 full / £15 concession / £10 online.

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Image: Portrait of Isaac Julien by Thierry Bal