Transitional justice by Artists

Artists play a pivotal role in supporting reparations and political change after war or conflict. Through their art, they call attention to the lasting impact of violence and human rights violations, champion underrepresented voices and create collective spaces for healing and remembrance. Additionally, by gathering evidence and building alternative archives, they foster public debate and help to move towards reconciliation and accountability. Through these collaborative practices, artists hope to bring about long-term justice and change.

After its first successful run in 2024, the AFIELD Forum returns to Brussels to explore the ways artists can help drive societal transformation. Following last year’s focus on systemic change, the 2025 forum invites participants to engage with the work and processes of transitional justice. This term refers to the processes that are used to address injustice and human rights violations, for instance after a war or the fall of a repressive regime. This can be achieved through court cases, truth commissions, reparations programmes, institutional reforms … and art.
 

The AFIELD Forum is open to all and takes place over a period of three days. The programme includes workshops, schools, walks, performances, panel discussions and keynotes. Please register early as places for some activities are limited.

With: Archivo de la Memoria Trans, Alejandra Ballón Gutiérrez, Manuel Correa, First Waves, Elizabeth Povinelli, Paul Preciado, Selvagem and l’Ukraine War Archive. Meen namen worden binnenkort aangekondigd.

The AFIELD Forum is a project by AFIELD, co-produced with Kanal-Centre Pompidou and Kunstenfestivaldesarts with the support of the Terra Foundation for American Art.

Some activities are part of The School of Fireflies during the Kunstenfestivaldesarts.