The Question of Funding
The Question of Funding is a growing collective of cultural producers and community organizers from Palestine. By producing, documenting, accumulating, and disseminating resources, experience, and knowledge with their wider community, it aims to rethink the economy of funding and how it affects cultural production both in Palestine and the world.
The collective was formed in 2019 by a group of individuals engaged in different facets of the cultural sector, from working for non-governmental cultural institutions dependent on international funding (such as Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center, Grassroots Al-Quds, and the Popular Art Center) and foundations and cultural centers (including Al-Basta Theatre, Dalia Association, and Rawa Fund), to practicing as independent practitioners.
Born out of informal and open encounters within Palestine’s wider arts community, The Question of Funding sought to question, debate, and find solutions to the prevalent constrictive international funding models on which Palestinian cultural institutions continue to depend.* These encounters grew beyond the cultural sphere to include the wider Palestinian community. They touched on pressing issues concerning the political and economic roles of cultural work, both within and outside the institution, and their impact on cultural infrastructures in Palestine and worldwide.
Central to these encounters was the recurrent and urgent question, “How to Work Together?” In response, The Question of Funding aims to bring together individuals and collectives actively working to find alternative economic structures that can resist the physical and geographical boundaries and restrictions in Palestine and, hopefully, beyond it. To this end, the collective is currently developing a community-governed economic system that will facilitate and connect local production from diverse sectors, such as agriculture, arts and culture, and small creative businesses, to foster social development and unity.
In the context of documenta fifteen, The Question of Funding is creating a communal economic model that combines trust and zero trust systems based on blockchain technologies. It will also co-curate an exhibition with Gazan artist collective Eltiqa; host events and workshops with several local grassroots organizations based in Kassel; publish illustrated books that narrate the alternative economy it aims to build in Palestine; and create a website to serve as an interactive repository for the growing documentation, dialogues, and thinking processes engaged by the collective.
*Since the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993, Palestinian cultural institutions have undergone structural changes due to international funding and have experienced conditional funding that has affected artistic production and community cultural organizing.
ARTWORKS
Question of Funding, Dayra Video
2022 / Video, 2 channels 4" / Dimensions variable
Question of Funding Poster
2022 / Digital printing, double-sided / 100 x 70 cm / 39.4 x 27.6 in
Eltiqaa, Raouf al Ajouri, Behind the Wall
2021 / Acrylic on canvas / 135 x 162 cm / 53.1 x 63.8 in
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 1
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 2
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
soldEltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 3
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 4
2020 / Drawing on paper / 25 x 30 cm / 9.8 x 11.8 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 5
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
soldEltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 6
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 7
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 8
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 9
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 10
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 11
2020 / Drawing on paper / 25 x 30 cm / 9.8 x 11.8 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 12
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 13
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 14
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 15
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 16
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 17
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 18
2020 / Drawing on paper / 25 x 30 cm / 9.8 x 11.8 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 19
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 20
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 21
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 22
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 23
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Freedom Series 25
2020 / Drawing on paper / 33 x 43 cm / 13.0 x 16.9 in (framed)
Eltiqaa, Raed Issa, Behind The Dream
2014 / Acrylic on canvas / 160 x 200 cm / 63.0 x 78.7 in
Eltiqaa, Dina Matar, Summer of Gaza
2017 / Acrylic on canvas / 130 x 200 cm / 51.2 x 78.7 in
Eltiqaa, Dina Matar, Cactus 4
2011 / Acrylic on canvas / 60 x 60 cm / 23.6 x 23.6 in
Eltiqaa, Dina Matar, Cactus 3
2011 / Acrylic on canvas / 60 x 60 cm / 23.6 x 23.6 in
Eltiqaa, Dina Matar, Cactus 2
2011 / Acrylic on canvas / 60 x 60 cm / 23.6 x 23.6 in
Eltiqaa, Dina Matar, Cactus 1
2011 / Acrylic on canvas / 60 x 60 cm / 23.6 x 23.6 in
Eltiqaa, Mohamed Abusal, Shamber 8 - Kamal Saloon / Cable from a small generator, kept at a distance to reduce noise
2012 / Photography on paper / 50 x 75 cm / 19.7 x 29.5 in
Eltiqaa, Mohamed Abusal, Shamber 7 - Hamad Minimarket / Shambar and Gas
2012 / Photography on paper / 50 x 75 cm / 19.7 x 29.5 in
Eltiqaa, Mohamed Abusal, Shamber 6 - House. Candles and Dried Battery Lantern
2012 / Photography on paper / 50 x 70 cm / 19.7 x 27.6 in
Eltiqaa, Mohamed Abusal, Shamber 5 - Some Studying for an Exam / Rechargeable LED light
2012q / Photography on paper / 50 x 75 cm / 19.7 x 29.5 in
Eltiqaa, Mohamed Abusal, Shamber 4 - A House / Local Inverter UPS (105 Amperes)
2012 / Photography on paper / 50 x 75 cm / 19.7 x 29.5 in
Eltiqaa, Mohamed Abusal, Shamber 2 - Sharm Amusement Park / Caterpillar (500 KVA)
2012 / Photography on paper / 40 x 120 cm / 15.7 x 47.2 in
Eltiqaa, Mohamed Abusal, Shamber 1 - Abdelhadi wedding dresses shop / Small Chinese generator - Lantop (5 KW)
2012 / Photography on paper / 40 x 120 cm / 15.7 x 47.2 in
Eltiqaa, Mohamed Abusal, Thorns and Flowers 2
2016 / Oil on canvas / 134 x 184 cm / 52.8 x 72.4 in
Eltiqaa, Mohamed Abusal, Thorns and Flowers 1
2016 / Oil on canvas / 205 x 205 cm / 80.7 x 80.7 in
Eltiqaa, Mohamed Abusal, Enduring Love
2016 / Acrylic on canvas / 192 x 150 cm / 75.6 x 59.1 in
Eltiqaa, Mohamed Abusal, Jawdat Garden 2
2016 / Acrylic on canvas / 192 x 149 cm / 75.6 x 58.7 in
Eltiqaa, Mohamed Abusal, Jawdat Garden 1
2016 / Oil on canvas / 134 x 184 cm / 52.8 x 72.4 in
Eltiqaa, Mohammed al Hawajri, A Family of Farmers - Vincent Van Gogh (1885)
2010-2013 / Digital Image / 62.5 x 150 cm / 24.6 x 59.1 in
Eltiqaa, Mohammed al Hawajri, The Harvest - Vincent Van Gogh (1888)
2010-2013 / Digital Image / 62.5 x 150 cm / 24.6 x 59.1 in
Eltiqaa, Mohammed al Hawajri, Liberty Leading the People - Eugene Delacroix (1830)
2010-2013 / Digital Image / 62.5 x 150 cm / 24.6 x 59.1 in
Eltiqaa, Mohammed al Hawajri, Above The City - Marc Chagall (1924)
2010-2013 / Digital Image / 62.5 x 150 cm / 24.6 x 59.1 in
Eltiqaa, Mohammed al Hawajri, Olive Picking - Vincent Van Gogh (1889)
2010-2013 / Digital Image / 62.5 x 150 cm / 24.6 x 59.1 in
Eltiqaa, Mohammed al Hawajri, Pause for a Nap - Jean Francois Millet (1865)
2010-2013 / Digital Image / 62.5 x 150 cm / 24.6 x 59.1 in
Eltiqaa, Mohammed al Hawajri, Harvesters Resting - Jean Francois Millet (1850)
2010-2013 / Digital Image / 62.5 x 150 cm / 24.6 x 59.1 in
Eltiqaa, Mohammed al Hawajri, Animals 3
2012 / Acrylic on Canvas / 200 x 200 cm / 78.7 x 78.7 in
Eltiqaa, Mohammed al Hawajri, Animals 2
2012 / Acrylic on Canvas / 100 x 200 cm / 39.4 x 78.7 in
Eltiqaa, Mohammed al Hawajri, Animals 1
2012 / Acrylic on Canvas / 100 x 200 cm / 39.4 x 78.7 in
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