Charlotte Bank's Page

Website

www.zakharif.eu

College / University

Heidelberg; Copenhagen

Program

M.A. Near Eastern archaeology, Art history; B.A. in Arabic and Islamic studies

Member type

Curator

I am...

an independent researcher, curator and writer. With a basis in Near Eastern archaeology and art history, my main field of interest these days is contemporary cultural and artistic practice in the Arab world and its Diaspora, especially but not exclusively film, video and photography.

My background is international with a childhood and youth spent between several European countries and my present life spent for a great part on the move. This life between countries and cultures has made me very much aware of how useless any assertions of superiority, whether national or cultural are.

The fragility of human existence is a central aspect in my projects as is the hybridity of contemporary urban culture. I try to explore and analyze the concequences of globalization, colonialism, immigration, exile and alienation. But also the chances offered by greater mobility and connectedness.

In many of my projects there is a certain twist. I seek to challenge people's ideas about the world and invite them to reflect on their own prejudices. So the dismantling of stereotypes is another strong focus of my work.

I live in Germany (Frankfurt, moving to Berlin soon), but work in many different countries and spend several months a year in Damascus and Beirut.

Interests

Film and photography, philosophy, books and music, contemporary and ethnic dance, online communities, interculturalism, hybrid urban culture

What exhibitions are good at the moment?

I was much impressed by Mahrem at Tanas, Berlin and the Moscow conceptualists in Frankfurt this summer. Favorites right now are "In the Desert of Modernity", House of World Cultures, Berlin and "Paper Fashion" at MUDAM, Luxembourg

The centre of the artworld is

Berlin, online, nowhere and everywhere, another city

My artreview.com URL:
http://www.artreview.com/profile/CharlotteBank
You can use this URL in your email, on your website, or on your facebook profile.