Alserkal Avenue’s International Premiere of "Zifzafa" - The Wind That Roars

‍

_{Ever thought a live audio essay could blow your mind? Get ready then. Mark your calendars, as the Alserkal Arts Foundation is about to unleash a storm. Starting 18 September, Alserkal Avenue is proud to present the world première of Zifzafa, an immersive live audio essay sure to leave you shaken-but not in a bad way, for sure. But let this not be just any wind; it is a deep journey through the powerful, molding action of wind-sound.}

‍

What’s Zifzafa?

_{Zifzafa is defined as a A wind so powerful, it shakes everything in its path. Sounds cool, right? Well, Lawrence Abu Hamdan and his collaborators—Busher Kanj Abu Saleh, Amr Mdah, and Earshot—think so too. In Arabic, “zifzafa” describes a force of nature, but in this groundbreaking audio performance, it’s much more than that. It’s a conceptual tool that maps how sound affects social relations. From connecting people to scattering pollen and dust, Zifzafa explores how this invisible force moves through spaces—sometimes uniting, but other times dividing.}

‍

Feel the Wind, Hear the Border

_{Here’s the twist: Zifzafa isn’t just a poetic exploration of the wind. As beautiful and freeing as it sounds, the audio essay also tackles the darker side of wind-sound. Just like wind can carry whispers across mountains, it can also act as a barrier—confusing, isolating, and even dividing. This performance doesn’t shy away from showing how something as simple as sound can create borders between people, animals, and nature.}

‍‍

Not Just a Performance—It’s an Experience

_{Ready for more? The Zifzafa experience isn’t just one show—it’s an entire event. From thought-provoking discussions to hands-on workshops, there’s something for everyone.}

‍

Discussion: A Prelude to Zifzafa

_{18 September 2024, 6:30 PM}

_{Join a roundtable discussion where artists and experts talk about the inspiration behind Zifzafa. Expect deep dives into the art of sonic autonomy (yup, that's a thing!) and how sound can shape our everyday lives.}

‍

Performance: Zifzafa Live Audio Essay

_{21 September 2024, 5:00 PM}

_{The main event. The international premiere of Zifzafa will take place on 21 September, presented by the Alserkal Arts Foundation. Co-produced by prestigious names like Festival d’Automne à Paris and CENTQUATRE-PARIS, this live audio essay promises to make you rethink everything you thought you knew about sound.}

‍

Workshop: Unreal Audio

_{22 September 2024, 2:00 PM}

_{Think the experience ends with the performance? Think again! On 22 September, audio investigator Fabio Cervi is leading a workshop that’s as futuristic as it sounds. Titled Unreal Audio, this session will show you how video game engines can create out-of-this-world listening environments. Gamers, artists, and audio nerds—this one’s for you!}

‍

‍