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Questions of Practice: Artist Michael Rakowitz on Threading Disparate Sources into a Cohesive Whole

In advance of the premiere of Mural Arts Philadelphia’s Radio Silence on July 29, 2017 at Independence Mall, artist Michael Rakowitz spoke with us about the process of weaving together the voices and memories of both Iraqi refugees and American veterans of the war in Iraq. “I love open systems when it comes to working with people because I believe in a public art that enlists its audience…as vital contributors in the production of meaning,” he says.

With Center support, Mural Arts Philadelphia collaborated with Rakowitz to present Radio Silence, a participatory performance and 10-episode radio program. Listen to an audio trailer and learn more on the project website.>>

Michael Rakowitz’s work involving social practice, installation, and performance has been presented at venues such as dOCUMENTA (13), MoMA, 16th Biennale of Sydney, the 10th and 14th Istanbul Biennial, Yokohama Triennial, Tate Modern, and Creative Time, among others. He is professor of art theory and practice at Northwestern University and a visiting artist at the International Art Academy of Palestine, Ramallah.