The AMQF Public Programme organized, recently, a lecture by video artist Blake Shaw in the Foundation’s headquarters in Ramallah. The lecture revolved around the GossipTV project – a broadcasting internet channel whose material combines poetry, experimental videos and investigative journalism. The channel seeks to undermine the consumerism of public images with the poetics of political resistance. Shaw works in a variety of fields that involve video, critical teaching methods, communication technology and public space intervention.
The concept of GossipTV was developed during a workshop recently held by the AMQF Public Programme, in cooperation with the Ramallah Municipality, in the Hosh Qandah Community Center. Shaw gave the said workshop to a group of artists, directors and actors. It focused on creating a studio with a simple green screen in the municipality-owned Hosh Qandah in Ramallah. At the time, participants collaborated to launch GossipTV, a channel that used video art and visual poetry to show support to the daily struggles and acts of resistance Palestinians led against the Israeli occupation.
Shaw also spoke of the research he is currently conducting, in which he explores the possible use of mathematics as a methodology to elaborate new strategies and tactics for intervening in the public space.
“Working with this group was a unique experience and we managed to address all the challenges we faced,” said Shaw. “Some participants came with specific and sometimes conventional expectations, while others wanted to experiment. Eventually, however, we were able to launch the channel in a way that ensured everybody’s participation and ease of access,” he added.
Malak Affouneh, a participant at the workshop, said that it was very useful. She explained, “The trainer had a very good approach; he didn’t follow a preset programme or schedule, but had a rather free style. I think that’s a challenge in itself.”
Furthermore, Shaw’s lecture featured a screening of a video that was produced by the workshop participants to represent the concept of GossipTV.
AMQF hosted Shaw in the framework of the Public Programme’s residency programme, which seeks to draw in experts from various fields to share their expertise with the local community via workshops and other initiatives.
Commenting on Shaw’s participation, Yazid Anani, Director of the Public Programme said, “What’s important about Shaw is that he works with people who later become part of the production itself through an interactive process. He offers what he has, but also allows space to learn from the participants.” He added, “Plus, his approach is somewhat based on independent work. GossipTV, for instance, is an alternative channel to conventional TV channels that allows any person to make their own shows, in any way they want, with the help of a simple software”.
Works by the workshop participants will be featured in the 5th/si:n/ Festival of Video Art & Performance in 2017.