Syrian artist Khaled Dawwa joins families of Syria’s Disappeared to destroy his artwork in a “performance protest” outside UN headquarters.
A three-meter tall sculpture by renowned Syrian artist Khaled Dawwa will be destroyed in front of the UN Headquarters in Geneva as a piece of performance art on the International Day of the Disappeared. Khaled will be joined by members of the Truth and Justice Charter*, a coalition of ten associations of survivors and families of detainees, to break up his work “The King of Holes”, made of expansive foam, plaster and wood, which depicts a large dictator figure.
After he survived detention and forced conscription by the regime, Khaled fled Syria and is now based in Paris where he continues to support Syria’s struggle for freedom and justice through his art and sculptures.
My experience is one of tens of thousands. So many people in Syria have gone through this. Having my freedom from detention was like being born again. But what about the rest?
The work, which has been exhibited in Paris and the Sculpture Biennale at Les Jardins des Sculptures at Château bois Guilbert in Normandy, and deliberately left to deteriorate naturally for two years, is now brought to Geneva where it will play a central role in the performance protest.
Over a year ago, the United Nations General Assembly approved the resolution to establish the Independent Institution on Missing Persons in Syria on June 30th, 2023. It was a historic moment for the search for Syria’s disappeared and testament to years of campaigning by the families and survivor groups. Now, the same groups are calling for the promise to turn into meaningful action. The artwork is a bold reminder to the UN and the institution that it must take concrete steps to uncover the truth about Syria’s disappeared loved ones.
The performance will include interactive elements with the families taking part under the direction of Khaled Dawwa and Jalal Altawil, Syrian actor and director. The work will symbolize their ongoing search for justice and a moving representation of their enduring struggle and determination.
August 30th, 2024 11:00am CET, Alley of the Flags, Geneva, Switzerland
*The Truth and Justice Charter, established in 2021, is a coalition of ten survivors and families associations advocating detainees rights and for freedom for all detainees in Syria. The coalition members are: Association of Detainees and Missing Persons in Sednaya Prison; Caesar Families Association; Coalition of Families of Persons Kidnapped by ISIS (Massar); Families for Freedom; Ta’afi Initiative; General Union of Internees and Detainees, Release Me, Hevdesti-Synergy Association for Victims, Adra Detainees Association and Families of Truth and Justice.
