23 January - 22 August 2020

MMAG Foundation, Amman
contact / location

Curated by Kayfa ta / Maha Maamoun and Ala Younis

Independent publishing initiatives have long been dismissed or underrepresented. Despite the important role independent practices play —sometimes by their sheer existence— in questioning creative, professional and political boundaries, they remain little known, their publications hard to find, and the history of their struggles against restrictive publishing regimes scantily written. From hand-drawn, self-promoting paper kites to relatively established independent publishing houses, alternative publishing practices show the breadth of possibility, as well as the strength and vulnerability, of some of our most creative and daring civil propositions.

This exhibition grew out of an extensive and ongoing research into the significant yet relatively invisible practices of independent publishing. Parallel to the exhibition, a public program of talks, performances, book launches, workshops and other gatherings - exploring the possibilities of publishing in the present moment. It comes parallel to the beginning of a new series of publications, Kayfa tanshur (How to Publish), which explores the significant work of individuals, collectives, and institutions in the field of alternative art and publishing practices, past and present.

Contributors: Adib El Shabab, Al Dob al Ahmar Al Wasee’, Al Hudood Network, Ali Eyal, Ali Hussein Al Adawy, Ali Taptik, Ali Yass, antoine lefevbre, Barakunan, Bernard Cella, Chandan Gomes, Dar Al Fata Al Arabi, Display Distribute with NZTT Sewing Co-op, Farah Khelil, Fehras Publishing Practices, Flint Magazine, Golrokh Nafisi, Hala Bizri, Hussein Nassereddine, Imane Ibrahim, Jana Traboulsi, Johanna Domke, Khatt Foundation, Klaus Scheruebel, Marouan Omara, Mohamad Shaqdih, Omar Zakaria, Post-Apollo Press, Raafat Majzoub, Sonallah Ibrahim, Suleiman Bakhit, Tamer Institute, Thukral and Tagra, Yazan Khalili and many more.

Founded in 2017 by Amman-based patrons Mohammad and Mahera Abu Ghazaleh, The MMAG Foundation strives to contribute to the future of art practice and pedagogy by drawing on historical encounters and contemporary issues alike. Through art, it works to facilitate opportunities to shape responsive approaches to learning, knowledge-making and modes of dialogue. The foundation provides a space for artistic research, production and critical discourse through its exhibition program, educational projects and residency spaces.

From press information. Images courtesy of MMAG Foundation.