Performing the Present, Saving the Future

This special lunchtime talk by visiting scholar Dr. Elena Marchevska was focused on the self-organized Macedonian protest choir Raspeani Skopjani, which enacts flash mobs to critique gentrification in the city of Skopje. The choir shows up unannounced, at specific politically pertinent locations in Skopje (like the Central Orthodox Church, Parliament, or City Museum): its’ participants sing, and then disperse. The choir’s appearances are carefully recorded, edited and posted on YouTube, as well as other websites. By transposing its performances to a digital context, Raspeani Skopjani offers alternative forms of storytelling and remembering concerning the current political moment in Skopje.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Dr. Marchevska is a senior Lecturer from London South Bank University and a member of the Centre for Digital Storytelling. As a practitioner, academic, and researcher, her work examines historical discontinuities that have emerged in post-capitalist and post-socialist transition.

Learn more about Dr. Marchevska’s artistic and theoretical practice at http://www.elenamarcevska.com

Mapping Safe Crip Spaces

Mapping Safe Crip Spaces is an interactive workshop by disability activist and artist Maayan Ziv, who uses digital software to crowdsource and pinpoint accessible spaces across Toronto. Maayan explores with participants the role that media plays in creating accessible communities and shared her thoughts on how such a cultural shift can happen. Workshop participants were asked to imagine media innovation and inclusivity for diverse communities. The event was moderated by artist, organizer, researcher, and educator Dr. Eliza Chandler.

Maayan Ziv is an activist, a photographer and an entrepreneur based in Toronto, Canada. From a young age, Maayan challenged norms and worked within her community to increase awareness of disability issues and improve accessibility.