Join us for a conversation between acclaimed sound artist Yara Mekawei and sound studies scholar Gascia Ouzounian as they explore Mekawei’s new work, »Sonic Forces,« commissioned by the CTM Radio Lab. This project explores the interconnections between personal and political struggles through sound, offering an auditory journey through Egypt’s border regions with Palestine, Libya, and Sudan—sites of conflict, refuge, and resilience. Using field recordings from crossing points, refugee camps, and border towns, Mekawei crafts a layered soundscape that reveals the paradox of seeking safety amid deeper personal struggles. The conversation will also examine Mekawei’s wider artistic practice, touching on key themes such as the politics of listening, her collaborations with architects and interdisciplinary artists, critical approaches to field recording, and how Sufism has shaped her creative vision.

Free entry

Image: Yara Mekawei

Photograph: Jasper Kettner