Thinking of You Kunst Installation

• Date: 30 April
• Location: Atrium City Hall

Thinking of You Art Installation

From June 3 to 28, The Hague's Atrium and from June 18 to 23, Lange Voorhout will be decorated with clotheslines full of dresses. These dresses have been donated by survivors of sexual violence in conflict and their supporters.

This groundbreaking public art installation by internationally recognized conceptual artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa will be a powerful tribute to survivors of sexual violence in conflicts worldwide. The installation was created by artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa in collaboration with the Mukwege Foundation, the Embassy of Kosovo in The Hague and the Municipality of The Hague.

Introduction to Thinking of You Alketa Xhafa Mripa initially conceived the concept in response to the ongoing traumatization and social exclusion of survivors of sexual violence from the war in her native Kosovo. The first Thinking of You exhibition (Prishtina, 2015) was held at the soccer stadium in the capital of Kosovo and received international praise and attention.

The process of creating the installation became an act of collective listening and healing, and the final installation was a tribute to the estimated 20,000 survivors of sexual violence at the hands of the Serbian army in Kosovo.

Since the first version of Thinking of You, Alketa's goal has been to bring this installation to other countries and work together in solidarity with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence around the world. It is a powerful tool to advocate for justice and to touch people emotionally, intellectually and politically.

Since its initial launch in Kosovo and subsequent installations, Thinking of You has become a global symbol of remembrance and solidarity with survivors of sexual violence.

Thinking of You Art Installation In June 2024, Thinking of You will be installed in The Hague's Atrium and along the avenue of trees on Lange Voorhout - this time with dresses and skirts by survivors of conflict-related sexual violence from around the world, with the support of SEMA, the Mukwege Foundation's global network of survivors.

By drawing attention to the reality of sexual violence in conflict and its human consequences, this installation will challenge a wide audience to think more deeply about the lived realities of survivors around the world and mobilize key decision-makers to take stronger action in preventing and responding to conflict-related sexual violence.

This installation is in collaboration with the Mukwege Foundation's Red Line Initiative, inspired by Dr. Denis Mukwege's call for bold and new thinking to finally end the completely unacceptable use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.

The Hague is known as the international city of peace and justice, so there is no better place to present this exhibition. The installation coincides with the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict on June 19, 2024.

Artist Alketa Xhafa Mripa Alketa's work deals with personal and universal themes related to motherhood, women, gender relations, memory and the body. She uses various artistic mediums, including films, installations, paintings and photography, to create works that draw inspiration from personal and collective experiences. She is inspired by the challenges faced by others and tries to approach these themes from a personal and introspective point of view.

As a woman and artist, Alketa is committed to creating platforms and collaborations that encourage new discourse and challenge oppression and injustice in different communities. Her experience as a mother and her feminist values give Alketa a unique perspective that allows her to approach women's issues from a broad point of view. She is especially passionate about supporting vulnerable communities of women, such as survivors of sexual violence and wartime rape, who still face social stigmas. Collaboration and participation are essential aspects of her work, and involving others in the creative process adds an extra dimension of passion to her art.

Alketa was born in Kosovo and moved to London in 1997 to study Fine Art at Central Saint Martins. During the Kosovo war of 1998-1999, she became a refugee. Currently living and working in London, Alketa collaborates on art projects throughout Europe and beyond.

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