HOLD THE LIGHT - Theatre inspired by the art of the Levant regionVibology: Major Exhibition of Contemporary Jordanian Artists

A London exhibition of contemporary Levantine artists turns into a live performance environment for five nights.

THE PERFORMANCE

For five nights 11-15 May at 1800, the exhibition comes alive when actors invade the space in a theatrical installation – ‘Hold the light’ - written and directed by Mira Awad. Audiences move through the gallery as monologue, dance and dialogue unfold among the artworks.

Rather than illustrating the art, the performances respond to it — turning the exhibition into a living conversation between artists, performers and audience.

Hold The Light

Written and Directed by Mira Awad

A theatrical installation unfolding across three acts:

Act I – Monologue
An artist at his own exhibition confronts the uneasy distance between the studio—where art is born—and the gallery—where it is displayed.

Act II – Dance
A physical exploration of presence, absence and emotional memory.

Act III – Dialogue
A conversation between a British arts journalist and a Jordanian painter that moves between art, identity and representation.

Cast:

Lola Fishbein

Helen Rose-Hampton

Adam Hasyim

Julie Yara

Costumes:

Yuliya Krylova

Vibology, a new cross-disciplinary arts programme exploring emotional communication through visual art and performance, launches this September in London.

Curated by Dina Dabbas Rifai, the exhibition brings together leading contemporary artists from Jordan and the wider region, presenting works spanning painting, sculpture, collage and mixed media. The project explores identity, memory and human connection through what the curators describe as “energy-based communication.”

Alongside the exhibition, a series of live performances directed by acclaimed Palestinian-Israeli artist Mira Awad will run 11 – 15 May. The central theatrical installation, Artist is in the House, unfolds through monologue, dance and dialogue performed throughout the gallery space, inviting audiences to experience art as a living exchange rather than a static display.

Featured artists include Juman Al Nimri, Jad Maq, Mohammad Tamimi, Zaina El Said, Ahmad Turki, Leen Jamil, Tamara El Ali, Rama AlFarkh, Hamza Jaber, Wedad Al Naser and Arda Aslanian, among others.

The project aims to bring Middle Eastern contemporary art into direct dialogue with London audiences while dissolving boundaries between exhibition and performance.

Dates: (performances 11 th – 15 th May)

Location: Studio 17, Excelsior Studios, 17 -19 Sunbeam Road, London NW10

6JPCentral Line North Acton 11 mins walk