How do libraries act as correctives? How do they become sites of intervention, gathering, and radical storytelling? 

This event—co-presented with Asia Art Archive, Hong Kong—brings together the C& Center of Unfinished Business in Berlin, Keleketla! Library in Johannesburg, and Sister Library in Mumbai to explore the transformative potential of libraries in the cultural field. 

The C& Center of Unfinished Business discusses how an itinerant reading room highlights the traces of colonialism in the holdings of existing institutional libraries. Keleketla! Library introduces how a library initiates advocacy programs to bring stakeholders in the fields of culture, heritage, and governance. Sister Library investigates the tension between temporary and semi-permanent reading sites to contribute to discussions of feminisms.  

This talk is organized as part of Correction*, the 2022–2024 Vera List Center Focus Theme and its exhibition of C& Center of Unfinished Business at The New School, and Asia Art Archive’s ongoing inquiry into libraries as spaces for gathering and co-learning.

Participants
Malose Malahlela, Keleketla! Library, Johannesburg
Mearg Negusse, C& Center of Unfinished Business, Berlin
Aqui Thami, Sister Library, Mumbai
Moderator, Özge Ersoy, Senior Curator, Asia Art Archive, Hong Kong
Host, Eriola Pira, Curator and Director of Public Programs, Vera List Center for Art and Politics

Outside of the public events being held in the space, the C& Center of Unfinished Business is open to the public by prior reservation and appointment only. Please fill out this form in order to request an appointment, which is necessary to access the space. You will receive an email confirming your appointment time.