The Shake, an exhibition reflecting on what unites rather than divides us, is now showing at The MAC, supported by Cultural Bridge and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

The project which is now available to view at The MAC until 20 October, is funded by Cultural Bridge, a programme that celebrates bilateral artistic partnerships between the UK and Germany through the collaboration between Arts Council England, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, British Council, Creative Scotland, Fonds Soziokultur, Goethe-Institut London and Wales Arts International / Arts Council of Wales. Cultural Bridge aims to build new relationships and foster artistic collaboration and cultural democracy.

Watch the video featuring artists Khaled Barakeh and Maurice Harron below.

The Shake takes its stepping-off point from Maurice Harron's iconic public sculpture, Hands Across the Divide. Erected in 1992, the sculpture is located in Derry-Londonderry and symbolises "the letting go of the past and reconciliation between both sides of the political divide during The Troubles. Khaled Barakeh reimagines this historical piece, focusing on the hands of the monument's two figures and precisely the gap between them: cast in bronze, frozen in an unfinished reconciliation, almost meeting but never genuinely joining.

This gap, filled with traumas and emotional memories, historical and political differences, resonated deeply with Khaled, who is from a country recently torn apart by sectarianism and deep-seated conflicts. The artist is drawn to exploring the potential within this void as an opportunity for new thinking that could bridge societal divides. By considering it as a connector rather than a divider, the gap metaphorically opens a space for this to negotiate the essence of it, encouraging viewers to contemplate what can be done differently.

Artist Khaled Barakeh, commenting on the project said, 

“I was very interested in this space between the two hands in Hands Across the Divide and decided to capture it. Then I used 3D scanning, then 3D print it, make a mould and make 44 copies in a piece called Materialised Distance. As visitors will see, this part of the exhibition is kind of floating on the space. Coming from Syria, also from another conflict, I felt there's some connectivity as well.

Another work entitled Divided We Stand, United We Fall is the rock. It's an organic natural rock that cut in half. Still, the cut is not a natural cut, which I think it's related to the south and the north. In the back of the exhibition space, there's a photographic work called Where the Sidewalk Ends. Crown shyness is basically trees growing until they sense each other's borders, so they stop growing horizontally. In the fourth section of the exhibition entitled The Unbearable Lightness of Being, visitors will find a tree that has a cut in the middle. This cut will continually deepen during the exhibition period until the tree is split into two halves. It's hard to move forward without remembering the past, but I think sometimes it also makes a question as what to remember and what to forget.”

Elaine Forde, Creative Learning Manager at The MAC, added, 

“The Shake creates an opportunity to reflect on what connects and unites us rather than what divides us. The exhibition offers a space to explore how we can peacefully co-exist together and with nature. Over the next 2 months we will be inviting people to share their vision of utopia in relation to Northern Ireland through a range of events and workshops. We are grateful to Cultural Bridge and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for their continued support.”

Siobhán Molloy, Festivals, Venues & International Arts Development Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said, 

“The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is proud to partner with Fonds Soziokultur, Goethe-Institut London and our arts funding colleagues across these islands in the Cultural Bridge programme. This important initiative offers a valuable opportunity for our artists to engage with their counterparts in the UK and Germany with the aim of using the arts to connect communities, develop shared understanding and facilitate social change through the creation of new artistic work. Congratulations to The MAC and Khaled Barakeh on their Cultural Bridge project, The Shake, and I would encourage everyone to go along and explore this wonderful exhibition.

“The good news is the Cultural Bridge programme will be open again in October for applications. Ahead of opening, arts and cultural organisations from Northern Ireland are encouraged to sign up for a match making session. If an organisation needs help brokering a new connection with a German based organisation, they can register their interest in the Cultural Bridge online matchmaking sessions taking place mid-September 2024. The deadline for matchmaking registrations is Monday 9th September 2024 – just visit the website for all the details.”

A socially engaged segment of The Shake will unfold during the exhibition period. It will involve collaboration with a coalition of local organisations and stakeholders. This partnership aims to broaden efforts toward equitable civic participation and create more inclusive societies, particularly for communities that have been marginalised or disenfranchised due to race, ethnicity, gender, or other affiliations. Together, through utopian thinking, they will foster a series of events, artistic interventions, and workshops. These activities are designed to bring new political imaginaries to life that challenge stagnant realities. For more information visit themaclive.com/exhibition/khaled-barakeh-the-shake

How to get Cultural Bridge funding

Applications for the 2025-2026 Cultural Bridge Programme will open on 15 October and close on 26 November 2024 and arts organisations from NI are encouraged to apply. Please read the full guidance and check eligibility to apply for funding before registering interest.

Key dates:

• Fund opens: Tuesday 15th October 2024
• Application deadline: Tuesday 26th November 2024
• Decisions: by 31st January 2025
• Activity starts: from 1st April 2025
• Activity ends: by 31st March 2026

For more information on Cultural Bridge funding, to join and matchmaking session and find out how to make an application visit https://www.cultural-bridge.info/funding/