Winter 2016 Resident 

In the winter of 2016 we were joined in our Soft Power investigation by Winter Resident Aryana Ghazi-Hessami. Ghazi-Hessami, whose thesis explored how conceptual art functions as a tool within diplomacy, aimed to explore how soft power assimilates through culture. She applied an analysis of soft power to certain conceptual artworks in order to question if conceptual art can persuade or reorient political difference, and thus change. Her work looked at Adrian Piper and Princess Hijab specifically.

Aryana Welcome & Project Introduction 
Thursday, Jan 28, 7-10pm
With an introduction to the notion of soft power, we aim to move it away from a diplomatic language and into an aesthetic language. In doing so, we discuss two female conceptual artists, Adrian Piper and Princess Hijab and conclude with the question: what implication does this have for the meaning of the feminine?

Discussion #1 of Catherine Malabou: The Feminine and the Question of Philosophy
Monday, February 15th, 7:30pm
In our second event with winter resident Aryana Ghazi-Hessami we will be reading Catherine Malabou’s The Feminine and the Question of Philosophy essay in Changing Difference (2014)

Discussion on Adrian Piper
Friday, February 26th, 8pm
We continue the investigation into the notion of soft power, and aim to move it away from a diplomatic language and into an aesthetic language, looking specifically at the work of Adrian Piper.

Discussion #2 of Catherine Malabou: The Feminine and the Question of Philosophy
Monday, March 14th, 7:30pm
During our second discussion with our winter resident Aryana Ghazi-Hessami, we will continue with our reading of  Catherine Malabous The Feminine and the Question of Philosophy essay in Changing Difference (2014)
This discussion follows Aryana’s thesis epilogue that questions the meaning of the feminie in relation to soft power.

Discussion on Princess Hijab
Thursday, March 24th, 8pm
We continue the investigation into the notion of soft power, and aim to move it away from a diplomatic language and into an aesthetic language, looking specifically at the work of Princess Hijab.