ghetto

BIENNALE

TRUMP’S RACIST LIES ARE PLAYING OUT PRECISELY AS INTENDED. IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR HAITIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS, WE REFUSE TO REMAIN SILENT.

Ghetto Biennale

The recent ludicrous claims by US presidential candidate Donald J. Trump that legal Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio have been seizing and eating cats, dogs and geese in public parks reflect a centuries-long racism toward the people of Haiti. The shocking predacious activities that Trump and his allies have described over the past week are the latest example of a disturbing and long history of US racial prejudice that Haitians have been forced to endure since their ancestors overthrew their French colonisers and established the world’s first Black republic back in 1804.

This use and abuse of Haiti and Haitians to spread fear and racial hatred is an age-old tactic. In 2016, Trump targeted Haitian voters in Florida to undermine his opponent and then Secretary of State Hilary Clinton for her controversial role in Haitian affairs. As president, he returned that support by calling Haiti a “shithole” country. Now he has sunk to unimaginable depths by endorsing historic racism, despicable stereotypes and violent misinformation of a remarkable nation whose ancestors supported the United States in its struggle for democracy.

In this joint statement with our friends at the Haiti Support Group, the Ghetto Biennale stands in solidarity with our Haitian allies in denouncing in the loudest possible terms Donald Trump’s racist and hate-filled comments. This is more than political point-scoring from a candidate whose decade-long political career has been built upon a catalogue of irresponsible comments. It is a blatantly demeaning accusation which purposely targets people of African ancestry. In a just world, Donald Trump would be disqualified and made to apologise to the Haitian immigrant community for these dangerously incendiary comments which, once again, have led to inexcusable violence.

Together, we must all fight the hatred that Trump has pronounced by presenting reality to this dangerous power. We ask that media outlets in the United Kingdom and online to publicly denounce these comments for what they are by reporting that there is absolutely no supporting present or historical proof for these vile claims. Haitian immigrants, by much greater evidence, have been law-abiding and supportive members of the community in Springfield, Ohio as they are in the many places they have settled around the world.

Racism of any form should never be tolerated or gone unremarked especially when uttered by those seeking high office.

POP-UP EXHIBITION IN SUPPORT OF ATIS REZISTANS

POP-UP FUNDRAISER FOR ATIS REZISTANS

Sat August 31st 2024 6pm - 9pm

Ruby Cruel
250 Morning Lane,
London E9 6RQ

Hackney Central, Homerton Overground Station or Bethnal Green tube

rubycruel.com
@rubycruel

FOLLOW @ghettobiennale_official FOR ART WORK REVEALS IN THE PRECEDING WEEKS

The situation in Port-au-prince is deteriorating rapidly and the gangs appear to be systematically targeting the Grand Rue region which was home to Atis Rezistans as well as a rich and vibrant informal economy.

At least three former participants in the Ghetto Biennale have been killed in the last couple of months...caught in cross-fire between gangs and police. Most of the artists have had to move to other neighbourhoods, losing all their possessions, separated from family and community, and having to find huge deposits for higher rents.

We are organising a pop-up one night exhibition with works for sale by Andre Eugene, Jean Claude Saintilus, Wesner Bazile, Getho Jean Baptiste and many more to help raise money for the artists relocation and plain survival costs. This is a one-night crazy price bonanza! There will also be many art works donated made by former Ghetto Biennale participants so come along and get a great piece of art.

Haitian music and cocktails!

If you can't make it you can donate or purchase via email by contacting Leah Gordon. A works list and prices can be forwarded.

Ghetto Biennale

ORDER THE GHETTO BIENNALE CATALOGUE HERE

Please check 'research resources' on our website for a list of books and films to help you to research your project.

Check out our project archives of the previous Ghetto Biennales

Enquiries, applications & questions contact: Leah Gordon at Leahgordon@aol.com

ATIS REZISTANS | GHETTO BIENNALE at RISING, MELBOURNE, JUNE 2023

Ghetto Biennale

RISING PROGRAMME

GHETTO BIENNALE at RISING PROGRAMME

ATIS REZISTANS | GHETTO BIENNALE @ documenta fifteen

PDF of ATIS REZISTANS | GHETTO BIENNALE @docuemnta fifteen INSTALL CATALOGUE

St Kunigundis Church, Leipziger Str., 34123 Kassel June 18–September 25, 2022 10am-8pm

PÒTOPRENS: The Urban Artists of Port-au-Prince

CATALOGUE PUBLISHED NOV 2021 BY PIONEER WORKS PRESS
Edited by Leah Gordon & Joshua Jelly-Shapiro, with essays by Edouard Duval-Carrié & Gina Athena Ulysse

Ghetto Biennale

The Ghetto Biennale is a cross-cultural arts festival held in two adjacent informal neighbourhoods in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, called Lakou Cheri and Ghetto Leanne. It is hosted by the artists’ collective, Atis Rezistans, and has taken place every two years starting in December 2009. The Ghetto Biennale is attempting to momentarily transform spaces, dialogues and relationships considered un-navigable and unworkable into transcultural, creative platforms. The Ghetto Biennale has realised a 'chaotic, amorphous, de-institutionalised space' for artistic production that attempts to offer a vibrant creative platform to artists from wide socioeconomic classes.

Ghetto Biennale

ORDER THE GHETTO BIENNALE CATALOGUE HERE

Andre Eugene talks about Swen Moun and Geto Klinik in
KOWONA KWONIK FILM

‘The Sculptors of Grand Rue' can be viewed at SCULPTORS OF GRAND RUE FILM

Find more information about Atis-Rezistans visit atis-rezistans.com

Check out the project archives of the previous Ghetto Biennales ghettobiennale.org

Enquiries, applications & questions contact: Leah Gordon at Leahgordon@aol.com