Keynote Lecture by Mariam Ghani: The Limits of Solidarity and the Collective of Grief

Where and why does leftist political solidarity run up against its limits? When empathy runs dry in the face of constant horrors, where understanding of context and history is lacking, where coalitions fracture, and when it seems impossible to effect real change, this talk will examine some recent object lessons in the limits of solidarity and explore grief as a possible alternative space or form of collective feeling, thinking, and being in common.

This lecture is the keynote presentation for the symposium Aesthetics of Solidarity. Taking place April 9–12, 2025, Aesthetics of Solidarity explores solidarity and Arab American art histories through presentations by artists, art historians, and scholars from around the world. Registration for this free event is encouraged.

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Aesthetics of Solidarity is the 2025 Association for Modern + Contemporary Art of the Arab World, Iran + Turkey (AMCA) conference and the 18th Annual Muslim Studies Program Faculty Symposium. The symposium was inspired by themes in the exhibition Nabil Kanso: Echoes of War, on view at the MSU Broad Art Museum from Feb. 15–Jun. 29, 2025. The exhibition Entangled Solidarities, on view at the MSU Libraries from Feb. 7–May 30, 2025, also explores similar themes.

This symposium is a partnership between the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University (MSU Broad Art Museum), the MSU Muslim Studies Program, and the Association for Modern + Contemporary Art of the Arab World, Iran + Turkey (AMCA), in collaboration with MSU Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities, MSU Center for Gender in a Global Context, The Nabil Kanso Estate, and the Arab American National Museum.

Aesthetics of Solidarity has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy Demands Wisdom. Additional support for this convening is provided by the MSU Creating Inclusive Excellence Grant, MSU Humanities & Arts Research Program (HARP), the MSU Dr. Delia Koo Faculty Endowment, MSU Diversity Research Network Launch Awards Program, MSU Muslim Studies Program, MSU Asian Studies Center, University of Michigan Digital Islamic Studies Curriculum (DISC), MSU College of Arts & Letters Ad-Hoc Funding Request, MSU Libraries, and MSU Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities.

Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Image: Nabil Kanso, Birds of Prey from the series Kuwait, 1991. Courtesy The Nabil Kanso Estate