Friday Night Live: In Search of Humanity

In Search of Humanity. Are we lost? 

If the current times are defined by something, it is inhumane violence and war crimes that are happening worldwide. From the people from Congo who massively fled their country due to increasing violence and massive killings in Ethiopia, Pakistan, Yemen, Burma/Myanmar. 

There is a massacre happening in Palestine. As Roffa Mon Amour we are deeply saddened by the ongoing oppression and extreme violence in Palestine. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people who are suffering under inhumane and extreme circumstances under the outrageous attacks of Israel. Our thoughts and hearts go out to innocent people as they strive to secure their alienable rights and forge a path towards a future defined by peace, justice, and freedom. 

“If there is no freedom of expression, then the beauty of life is lost. Participation in a society is not an artistic choice, it’s a human need.” – Ai Weiwei

Kunsthal exhibition In Search of Humanity by the acclaimed artist, human rights activist, and political dissident Ai Weiwei in his endeavor for a better world is the perfect exhibition at the right time. With the current times in mind, we felt the need to organize a moment to reflect, a space to talk to each other about what is happening.

Along with the Ai Weiwei exhibition, we will host a specially curated evening full of meaningful, urgent, and confronting programs. Within the themes of human rights, activism, and social justice we will provide not only a film but also talks, live music, food for purpose, and activities where you can make a difference.

Please welcome us at Friday Night LIVE on December 15th at the Kunsthal in Rotterdam.

Click here to get your ticket(s) 

Kunsthal Rotterdam, Ai Weiwei. In Search of Humanity, 29 September 2023, Ph: Marco De Swart

*PROGRAM FOR THE NIGHT*

1. Cinema Concert Michelle Samba

Musician Michelle Samba is an entanglement of rhythm, mostly operating within the language of drums. Her work includes poetry and performance art.

At Friday Night Live Michelle Samba will perform a live show along with the documentary Little Girl’s Cheeks (2009) by Ai Weiwei. 

The visual music performance starts at 20:40 and goes on until 21:50 at the Auditorium of the Kunsthal.

2. Kitten or Refugee?

In her documentary visual artist Tina Farifteh researches the mechanisms behind empathy and the dangers of empathy-erosion and she engages the viewer in an experiment: who gets our empathy when it comes to life and death?

At Friday Night Live the screening of the film takes place and a talk onwards how images can affect our empathy. 

The film screening is from 19:00 until 19:30 at the Auditorium of the Kunsthal.

3. Talk: Framing Humanity 

Who do we stand up for? Whose rights are worth protesting? Whatever action we are moved to take, depends on what information we have been exposed to. Extreme media coverage, or no attention at all; is a difference between empathy and ignorance, between action and inaction.

At Friday Night Live, after the short documentary Kitten or Refugee, we go into conversation with visual artist Tina Farifteh and Palestinian curator, artist, and writer Lara Khaldi (Director De Appel).

The talk Framing Humanity starts at 19:30 and ends at 20:15 in the Auditorium of the Kunsthal.

4. Write for Rights with Amnesty

When was the last time you received a handwritten letter? A personal letter puts more weight on the content and makes more impact. That is why writing letters is Amnesty’s best-proven method to make a difference. Join our Write for Rights action. 

During Friday Night LIVE you can write to authorities to stop injustice. Use the power of words to step up for Sophia Huang, journalist and #MeToo activist from China, and other activists. 

Write for Rights with Amnesty starts at 18:00 and ends at 21:00 at Kunsthal LAB. 

5. Mirror Soup Kitchen 

Friday Night Live serves Mirror soup kitchen! Jasper van den Berg and his companions create visibility for people impacted by war or conflict elsewhere in the world. 

Same ingredients, same recipe, different place: the Mirror Soup Kitchen prepares the same soup that is being cooked daily in the soup kitchen of Lviv. In this city in western Ukraine the volunteers of the SOMA arts collective cook a free vegetarian soup for those in need from seven different kitchens in the city. You can buy a meal with a donation and all proceeds go directly to the SOMA artist collective in Lviv, Ukraine.

Mirror Soup Kitchen is in Kunsthal Café from 18:30 – 21:00.

6. Pop-up Club Cinema + DJ doo-bop

The dance floor is a melting pot for new movements and like-minded people. Becoming unity at night within the vibrant haven of club culture strengthens the force of resistance towards oppression.

At Friday Night LIVE you can watch the most iconic dance and club culture cinema scenes which stand up for minorities, freedom of existence, and acceptance of being. 

In Kunsthal Cafe we will pop up our cinema screen with films shown from 17:00 to 22:00. From 19.00 to 22.00 DJ doo-bop will play his favorite vinyl records to get you moving on the dance floor.