POETIC RECAP I February 15, 2021
Poetry reflection 'Beyond The Collection' by spoken word artist Tieka Masfar

There’s much to say about the two sessions on dealing with colonial collections by Beyond Walls during the expertmeeting ‘HERE: Heritage Reflections’ organized by Mondriaan Fonds and Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed. All 23 participants were asked to give a brief summary of their sessions. Beyond Walls asked spoken word artist Tieka Masfar to write and perform a poetic reflection instead. A big s/o to Tieka for capturing our two sessions in such a powerful way.

BEYOND THE COLLECTION
poetry reflection by Tieka Masfar

“I am the other.
The one you speak of when you think
this might be sensitive

I am a diaspora of a community
So let’s go

What’s mine is yours 
But you took it
and put it on display
It was not a trophy
All you’ve done is
put you’re ego on a plate
Eat it up

Take a picture it lasts longer

How many multi-perspectives can you handle
Don’t be surprised
You will be continuously
Because we don’t know what the future holds

All these young heritage professionals
Taking a stand
Taking a step
Cleaning things up

Stay away from politics they say
Relate to a modern audience of today
Create something for the community 

But don’t say they
I am a part of that community
Stay in unity
Say us, together
Help us facilitate

Listen to the stories
Don’t be afraid to tell us
Don’t be afraid to ask us
I don’t know the terms
but I do know how I feel

Am I a trend
Am I a trend
Am I a trend
Is that relevant
Restitution matters 

Educate Educate
who’s talking
who is taking space

Is there hope in education
If we’re not taught to re-tell
Transparency.
Be real.
Be truthful in all the ways
From each community
Misunderstandings
Be unpredictable
Break the walls
Beyond walls 

Technical issues
one moment please
it’s not working
I can’t oh hi
Please stop.”

- Tieka Masfar @artistieka @stormyweatherthoughts

EXPERTMEETING I February 11, 2021 I Mondriaan Fonds, Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed.

We are happy to share that Mondriaan Fonds invited Beyond Walls for a break-out session on colonial heritage during the expert meeting ‘HERE: Heritage Reflections’ on 11.02. Organized by Mondriaan Fonds and Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed.

In our session, we will explore colonial heritage beyond institutional and academic frameworks. We invite participants to reflect on accessibility, ownership, diaspora perspectives, the role of emotions related to colonial heritage, and more. How can colonial heritage contribute to more critical awareness when coloniality is deeply rooted in our institutions and society?