Arts and Politics: A Mutual Relation

Gulbenkian Theater, Beirut campus

The Communication Arts Department at the School of Arts and Sciences in collaboration with The Department of Social Sciences is leading a two-day event titled “Arts and Politics: A  Mutual Relation”. The first part of the event will include a panel discussion with experienced speakers. Following the same theme, the second part of the event will be featuring a live performance.

The very nature of politics is, like art, rooted in conflict and harmony. The heart of art is the interplay of the physical and the mental, while the compromise between them forms a cohesive entity. Compromise is also the center of the political process, trying to find common ground and consensus solutions to problems of society through open communication. Both seek to inspire their targets, and both have made great use of the other to advance their ideas. The panel will be discussing the role of arts in politics and how have politics influenced arts and the artists.

Panelists:

Dr. Ray Furuta - Guest speaker - Artistic Director of Chamber Music Silicon Valley and Lecturer of Flute at Santa Clara University in California

Dr. Mona Knio - Associate Professor of Theater at LAU

Dr. Imad Salamey - Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at LAU, Associate Chair of the Department of Social Sciences, Director of the Institute for Social Justice and Conflict Resolution (ISJCR)

Dr. Amr Selim - Assistant Professor of Music at LAU and Artistic Director of Imagine Arts Summer Camp.

The second part of the event, which will be held on February 15, is a recital inspired by political events given by Ray Furuta (flute) and Seba Ali (piano) at the Gulbenkian Theater.

All are welcomed to attend.