Time of the Gypsies? An Evening of Artwork, Debate, and Music

"Time of the Gypsies?" is a collaboration between the Media Diversity Institute, Artefacta, and the OSI-sponsored First Roma Pavilion at the Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art.

6pm | In Search of Paradise Lost
The First Roma Pavilion at the Venice Biennale - Virtual Tour by Artefacta

For centuries, Roma/Gypsies/Travellers have been represented in art created exclusively by non-Roma. But this trend is changing. Paradise Lost is the very first exhibition at the 112-year old Venice Biennale to showcase contemporary European Roma artists. With artists representing eight countries, this is the first truly European pavilion in the Biennale’s history. The Roma Pavilion will be presented by a virtual tour by Artefacta. A co-production between the Italian Istituto Enciclopedia Treccani, the London-based Trolley Publishers and the art-documentary production company Dinamo Italia, Artefacta uses Google Map technology to provide a virtual tour through the 52nd Biennale.

7pm | Travellers Welcome? Gypsies Welcome?
Re-thinking media images of the Roma, Europe’s largest minority

Gypsies: admired, glorified and made mysterious by artists, musicians, and film-makers; downgraded, demonised, undervalued by the media. Stereotyped in various ways, but “never seen for what we are” (Daniel Baker, British artist). What leads editors and reporters to rely on unhelpful stereotypes? Are there differences in portrayal between the tabloids and quality media? What parallels can be drawn from how the media treats other marginalised groups? And what can be done to transform negative coverage?

8.30pm | On Travel(lers) and Music
Gypsy music evening featuring DJs Garth Cartwright and Leon Parker

An evening with two renowned DJs for party-goers who like spontaneous passion and fun. Garth Cartwright, author of Princes Amongst Men: Journeys with Gypsy Musicians (Serpents Tail) wandered around Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania and Macedonia, following Gypsy musicians and learning about their history, beliefs, experiences and hopes. Leon Parker, “record hunter and DJ,” likes travelling around the world and finding rare and exotic music. One of the things he says greatly influenced his life was “a trip through the Balkans by train in 1980 and seeing my first live Gypsy band.” Finger food and drinks will be served.

A complete program is available for download below.

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