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Jordan 2019 + 2020 + 2021
Invited to facilitate, the Rocca Family brought along the cosmic, philosophical and bordering-on-terrifying Zizi, expanding universes, emphasizing the limitlessness of horizons, and pushing boundaries. Employing their favorite tools including walking, stretching, writing, sound practices, drawing, and staring into the eye of the sun, the Family invited the participating artists to develop listening skills and ignite the wild within to connect with the wild beyond.
Curated by artist Fadi Zumot (alongside Alaa Abu Qasheh in 2019), these residencies brought the participating artists together for two weeks. The 2021 residency approached the theme of change, the 2020 residency, including Raed Ibrahim and Taghmees as facilitators, was designed around change, the Family focused on the theme of the wild in the 2019 residency, which also included Shireen Talhouni, Musa Shadidi and Raed Ibrahim as facilitators.
Images: Aman Space & residency participants
Aman Space, Amman, Jordan, November 2021
Dr. Arwa Aamiry (1943-2023) was a professor of experimental psychology and a clinical psychologist. She loved the psychology passionately, and contributed fundamentally in establishing a base for the field in Jordan academically and clinically from her classrooms at Jordan University and her clinic. Many have been shaped by her practices whether expanding their academic knowledge or in delving deeper into themselves. A generous professor and therapist, she lived what she preached, progressive and free thinking, she was wise, serious, dedicated and not without a sense of humor. She provided a refuge to those who felt they had no other, helping restore self-faith and dignity and deep breathing. For that and much more, the Rocca Family in collaboration with Aman organized a party to honour and show gratitude to Dr. Arwa Aamiry. Of course, the event was conducted by a celestial presence arriving from the distance, the Zizi.
Critical Issues in Contemporary Art Practice series, Henry Art Gallery, Uni of Washington, Seattle, May 2013
This performance and presentation, which reflected a new found love of the purple yam involving a range of pink and purple food tastings, invited a conversation on hyper consumerism, super productions and global corporations in the arts.
Institutions by Artists Conference, organized by Fillip, Vancouver, Canada, October 2012
Sharing arak drinks and food, and examining drawings prepared especially for the conference, this performance invited the attendants to a conversation approaching the structures and networks of support necessary to the sustainability of independent art spaces, particularly in the absence or as an alternative to institutional support.
Gallery of the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, California, September-November 2011
The Rocca Family’s love for food was apparent in this early collaboration in San Francisco. Alongside visiting artist Jeanno Gaussi, this work consisted of a series of performances and an installation approaching notions of immigration, home, the American Dream and funding for the arts.
Citizen's Laboratory for Oakland Standard at the Oakland Museum of California
April 2011
The day was centered around Egypt’s 2011 revolution of what became known as The Arab Spring. For this event, Ola and Diala invited live participations from artists based in Egypt and prepared one of Egypt’s most popular dishes: ful.
¿Quién puede vivir en esta casa? Residency program at Zona Imaginaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina, September-October 2009
This work, which involved a series of events including a dance lesson, several feasts and a multi-language cookbook, examined notions of immigration and identity inspired by the context of Buenos Aires and the frequent “Oh, my grandmother was from Syria!” encounters.
Shatana International Artist Workshop 3rd edition, organized by Makan in Shatana village, Jordan
July 2009
A variety of delicious dairy products was consumed in abundance during the three editions of the Shatana Workshop. This work, manifesting in a mural advertising a local cheese shop, referenced the fragile local economy dependent on small-scale local farming and home-based industries with very limited resources and support.
