BHAVISHA PANCHIACURATING 
 WRITING

‘32: The Rescore
Gallery 6, Al Mureijah Art Spaces
Al Mureijah Square, Sharjah
27 September 2019 – 5 January 2020


Hasan Hujairi
Joe Namy
Julia Tieke
Jumana Manna
HIZZ
NAAR
Nawa RecordingsDespite its uneven accomplishments, the 1932 Cairo Congress of Arab Music marked a significant period for music in Egypt and other Arab countries. The two-week-long conference, which was directed towards the reformation and renewal of musical forms, brought together musicians and scholars to discuss the future of Arab music, including melodic and rhythmic modes, scales, composition, instrumentation and education. Taking into account the social and historical conditions and factors that shaped the conversations during the congress, ’32: The Rescore reconsiders this gathering as a historical event and tilts its focus to occurrences, comments and consequences that arose during its proceedings.

With contributions from artists, musicians and a selection of record labels,’32: The Rescore traces the consequences of the congress into the 21st century, considering a variety of networks and channels, such as concert houses, YouTube, SoundCloud, vinyl records and cassettes, through which contemporary Arab music is accessed and enjoyed. Drawing on the aesthetic, political and cultural debates the congress embraced, the exhibition reflects on the forces that drive and shape contemporary Arab music.

Artists Hasan Hujairi, Jumana Manna, Joe Namy and Julia Tieke bring attention to the political, architectural and discursive sites of Arabic music, while record labels HIZZ, NAAR and NAWA Recordings showcase experimental practices that lie outside categorisations of genre or geographic delineation.  The exhibition considers critical and experimental approaches to music making within fluctuating, asymmetrical political and economic streams, reminding us that musical influence extends beyond geographical or epistemological frontiers to espouse the synthesis and limitless transformation of musical forms.