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Red-Gold Reflections: A Transcript on Algae Narratives

A TRANSCRIPT ON ALGAE NARRATIVES

Creative Leader: Sabrina Mumtaz Hasan (UK)

Wednesday, November 17th, 7pm - 8.30pm GMT

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A reading group to prompt discussion, looking into the nuances of the relationship between the lab researcher and algae bloomed daily in the lab. The catalysts, socio-cultural reasoning and positionality of both researcher and algae in close contact are up for debate. Revelations of Algal Oil (Zayut) زيت‎ from a Lab visit has been transformation for this conversation to happen. Critiquing the lab and exposing and presenting the personal and human aspect of the researcher is so much more than in the transcript, it's about how we as part of the reading group interact and pose more questions instead of looking for answers.

The reading group is a space to ask more questions. Having thought about the nuances of sustainability such as decomposability or if the material is biodegradable - working with algae, particularly the red-algae of Morocco, considering the afterlife of the organism is as important as its usage. Sabrina decided to critique the methodology within a Lab environment, where red algae goes through a process of 'blooming' and growing. To bloom means to be radiant with good health and physical nutrition. It is usually understood as an aspect of human aesthetics and attraction. The etymology of the term comes from the blóm, a flower or blossom - “to blossom, flourish” and to “thrive, bloom”. Considering the actuality of what it means to bloom and the emotional, social and cultural resonance of this within a lab environment, is up for discussion. What are the conversations and questions we need to have around how scientists work with algae? What are the personal into practice relationships scientists have with it? How does knowing about this help and sooth our minds, allow us to question further their working methods and processes?

The aim is to look at the transcript, and put into the centre of the dialogue, the relationship between Lab Researcher and Algae. What felt like a revelation at the time in the Lab was knowing about the colour, texture and tonal properties of non-synthetics approaches to treating and multiplying/ blooming algae, how the lab researchers use sun, sea and wind to allow the algae to position itself independently and thrive. Oil is a very important part of cultural practices and learning about Algal Oil (zayut) as a medicinal and beneficial material to better health is so central to my practice and theory into practice-based research around Helminth Therapy. Critiquing the lab and exposing and presenting the personal and human aspect of the researcher is so much more than in the transcript, it's about how we as part of the reading group interact and pose more questions instead of looking for answers.

ABOUT THE CREATIVE HOST

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Sabrina Mumtaz Hasan MA, FHEA works within the mediums of scripted text, sculpture, performance and moving image. Her practice is stimulated by her writings on materialising the positive aspects of a parasite, in favour of catalysing sociological change; situated in contemporary philosophy and legacy activation. Mumtaz Hasan’s colour pallet is recognisably a very close selection of browns, oranges, aubergines and yellows. Working against the pejorative perception of parasite-host relationships, she coined the term Socio-Parasitology. Her focus is on the interruptive stage and the first act of contact made between a parasite and host coupling; as an activity that releases a productive change. She explores the positive acts of interruption through temperature, immigration policy, diagram, scale, bio-matter, ethics and various states of displacement, arrival, transit and diverse bodies in flux. 

Mumtaz Hasan has exhibited work as part of Cluttered (2010) was exhibited at Saatchi Gallery for “Imagine a World Without Prejudice” curated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), COLOURED at Willesden Green Gallery (2018), Tate Exchange: Studio Complex (2018), commissioned by Small Green Shoots for National Storytelling Week (2018), Metaphonica IV: The House of Beyond Sound (2018), Nom, The Laundry Arts (2018), Us Bodies, A Socio-Parasitology Manifesto at Hundred Years Gallery (June 2018), Refugee Week (2019) and Slipstream Refugee Week (2020), Victoria and Albert Museum (2019) and Raw Labs for Newham Word Festival (2019) commissioned by Sonic Gaze for an evening of politicised performances. Artist in Resident at The Cube (Neuroscience) facilitating MY COGNITIVE PARASITE MADE ME DO IT! a round table discussion (2018) and Haramacy Residency at The Albany Theatre funded by Arts Council England. Mumtaz Hasan has led and curated The Socio-Parasitology Manifesto Exhibition focusing on Media, Migration and News Broadcasting to do with Brexit, supported and funded by University of the Arts London in January 2019 at Nunnery Gallery, Bow Arts Trust.

Research and published bibliography include British Vogue, Vanity Fair, UCL Savage Journal, Imperial College, WIRED Magazine and Mumtaz Hasan led on the terms of reference journal “Third Culture Kids” published in March 2021 University of the Arts London which has a growing contemporary focus on ‘global nomads' highlighting the nuances of people in transit. Thesis paper ON MIGRANTS, PARASITES AND METAPHOR-REWORKING THE PEJORATIVE FRAMING (2019) can be located online to read.

Red-Gold Reflections: A Transcript on Algae Narratives
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How will the online reading group work?

We’ll be screening the film on Zoom, which will allow us all to synchronise our reading group and provide the option for us to chat together via a live instant messaging chatroom during the reading group. Don’t worry, you don’t need to reveal your name, and there won’t be a video-chat option. We’ll all get to enjoy the reading group  together - but privately and safely in our sweatpants on the couch! Simply purchase an e-ticket from us below (pay what you can), and 1 hour before the reading group is scheduled to start we’ll email you a link to the reading group!

Ticketing

You can purchase your e-ticket online below by card or PayPal. As usual, you can choose what you would like to pay for this event depending on your economic circumstances. We’re a not-for-profit community venture that supports Arab and North African’s women’s cultural production, and we rely solely on public funding and your donations to do what we do! If you’re unsure about how much to pay, you can read our guide here