PEN Out Loud: Ai Weiwei With Mira Jacob

Ai Weiwei with Mira Jacob

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024 123 WEST 43RD ST NYC 10036 | THETOWNHALL.ORG

TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2024 • 7PM

Ai Weiwei with

Mira Jacob

THE TOWN HALL 123 WEST 43RD ST NYC 10036

Ted Lambert, Executive Director Jeff Mann, Marketing Director Alex Koveos, Sr. Digital Media Manager

Melay Araya, Artistic Director Gloria Lee, Programming Manager Carl Acampora, Production Manager Dennis Rakauckas, Graphic Designer

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A L ET T ER F RO M T HE P R E S ID E N T

“Expressing oneself is part of being human. To be deprived of a voice is to be told you are not a participant in society; ultimately it is a denial of humanity.” -- Al Weiwei Perhaps there is no more fitting venue for Al Weiwei, tonight’s guest than The Town Hall. In 1921, The League of Political Education opened the building with the watchwords: “ It does not matter who you are, what you are or from where you come, you are welcome.”

The early twentieth century Town Hall aimed “to promote good citizenship, social justice and general enlightenment through the education and expression of public opinion ...” In that spirit–some one hundred years later–we are delighted to welcome Al Weiwei and Mira Jacob to carry on our tradition.

While tradition plays an important role in the Hall, like everything in New York, we are constantly adapting to meet the future. Tonight it is my honor to greet you as the newly elected President of the Town Hall Foundation, the non-profit organization that upholds our tradition, preserves our landmarked auditorium and brings you exciting Town Hall Presents events like our programming tonight. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, and our incredible staff of professionals, I echo the sentiments of our founders and assure you that you are always welcome here.

Nevin Steinberg

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AB O UT T HE PRO G RA M

Inspired by the 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac and their associated human characteristics, Ai Weiwei interweaves ancient Chinese folklore with stories of his life, family, art career, and activism for global human rights.

Over the years, PEN America has come to Ai Weiwei’s defense as his art and criticism of the Chinese Communist Party has brought him under attack by the Chinese government, including detention. He now lives in exile in Europe.

“From personal experience as an artist who has been persecuted for criticizing the state, Ai Weiwei has a deep understanding of why creative and free expression matters so deeply,” said Jared Jackson, director, Literary Programs and Emerging Voices at PEN America. “We feel privileged to bring this conversation to New Yorkers who value his artistry and the sacrifices he has made to continue to make art and speak out on behalf of artists and others who are persecuted for their beliefs.”

Melay Araya, artistic director of The Town Hall, said: “From Diego Rivera to James Baldwin to Miriam Makeba, The Town Hall has been a place for artists from around the world to not only share their craft, but their own personal stories and convictions. We’re excited to not only hear from Ai Wei Wei himself, but to see him express himself in a new medium.”

Ai Wei Wei’s memoir is both a personal history, an exploration of the political and social climate in which he makes art, his views on free expression, and what it means to express oneself through art.

The book has its roots in his childhood, when, living in exile through anti-intellectual political movements, he would find himself with nothing to read but government-approved comic books. Although works of political propaganda, the books gave Ai Weiwei a window into the artists’ ability to express their thoughts on art and humanity through graphic storytelling.

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AB O UT M I RA JACO B

Mira Jacob is a novelist, memoirist, illustrator, and cultural critic. Her graphic memoir Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations was shortlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award, longlisted for the PEN Open Book Award, nominated for three Eisner Awards, and named a New York Times Notable Book, as well as a best book of the year by Time, Esquire, Publisher’s Weekly, and Library Journal. It is currently in development as a television series. Her novel The Sleepwalker’s Guide to Dancing was a Barnes & Noble Discover New Writers pick, shortlisted for India’s Tata First Literature Award, longlisted for the Brooklyn Literary Eagles Prize and named one of the best books of 2014 by Kirkus Reviews, the Boston Globe, Goodreads, Bustle, and The Millions. Her writing and drawings have appeared in The New York Times Book Review, Electric Literature, Tin House, Literary Hub, Guernica, Vogue, and the Telegraph. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the MFA Creative Writing Program at The New School, and a founding faculty member of the MFA Writing Program at Randolph College.

AB O UT PE N A M E RI CA

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.

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THE TOWN HALL FOUNDATION The Town Hall’s mission is to provide affordable world-class entertainment by new and established artists to a diverse audience; to inspire the youth of our community to appreciate and participate in the arts at The Town Hall and in schools through our Education Outreach Program; and to preserve and enhance The Town Hall as a historic landmark venue for the enjoyment and cultural enrichment of generations to come.

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES PRESIDENT

VICE PRESIDENT

Nevin Steinberg

Rita Robbins

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Tom Wirtshafter Marvin Leffler

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Timothy Stambaugh

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MAJOR GIFTS, CORPORATE, FOUNDATION & GOVERNMENT SUPPORT This program is supported, in part, by public funds from The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. Town Hall’s Education Outreach Program is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature. The Centennial Concert Series is funded, in part, by Howard Gilman Foundation. We would like to thank the following foundations, corporations, and government institutions for their support: American Portfolios Bank of America Bob Dylan Center Broadhaven Capital Partners Consolidated Edison Company of New York The Durst Organization The Hearst Foundations, Inc. The Hyde & Watson Foundation The IV Fund Edythe Kenner Foundation Gund Investment Corporation National Endowment for the Arts New York City Department of Cultural Affairs New York State Council on the Arts

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TOUR THE HISTORIC TOWN HALL Town Hall has played an integral part in the electrifying cultural fabric of New York City for more than 90 years. A group of Suffragists’ fight for the 19th Amendment led them to build a meeting space to educate people on the important issues of the day. During its construction, the 19th Amendment was passed, and on January 12, 1921 The Town Hall opened its doors and took on a double meaning: as a symbol of the victory sought by its founders, and as a spark for a new, more optimistic climate. In 1921, German composer Richard Strauss performed a series of concerts that cemented the Hall’s reputation as an ideal venue for musical performances. Since, Town Hall has been home to countless musical milestones: The US debuts of Strauss, and Isaac Stern; Marian Anderson’s first New York recital; in 1945, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker introduced bebop to the world; Bob Dylan’s first major concert in ‘63; and much much more.

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SUSTAINING MEMBERS Producer’s Circle ($5,000+) Shauna & Michael Denkensohn Dr. Charlotte K. Frank & Marvin Leffler Ellen Miller-Wachtel & Alan Wachtel, M.D. Chip Murphy Torbjoern G. Nygaard, MD & Lisa A. Mellman, MD Brian & Patricia Shea Beth & Tim Stambaugh Paige Price & Nevin Steinberg Carol Marks & Tom Wirtshafter Jennifer Young, Christopher Young Susan Zohn Partner ($2,500) Howard F. Berman Mary Dettling-Wright Agnes Gund Dr. Elizabeth Iannizzi John A. Jenkins & Susan Raleigh Jenkins, Esq. Mahipal Rawat, Shweta Rawat Sponsor ($2,000) Judith Entes Gita Gupte Daniel Lewis Rita Robbins Lawrence Unger Seat Holder ($1,000) Mr. & Mrs. Louis Aidala Nancy & Evan Berman Ralph Buultjens Robert E. Evanson Hazel & Russel Fershleiser Lisa Glassner & Matt Frank Green Charitable Foundation Fran & Richard Habib Patty Laxton & Fred Kaufman Kathleen Rosenberg Rhoda Rothkopf Susan & Victor Shedlin Member ($500) Anonymous (4) Charlie & Bonnie Alter Wanyong & Chris Austin Jane Eisner Bram Karen & Alexander Callender Matthew Costabile Daniel Donnelly Hon. Betty W. Ellerin Charlie Feldman Bob & Rose Foulds Michael & Anne Frank-Shapiro Miriam & Paul Gold Barbara J. Gottlieb Jeff Gutterman Priscilla H. Hoffman Bruce Horten & Aaron Lieber Adam Idleberg

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Eleanor Androulidakis Gary Apple Charles David Ard Kennet Aymong David A. Bader Andrew Baldwin Michelle Bandoain Elan Barish Natalie & Tim Barry Peter Barsocchini Jonathan & Barbara Baskin Erin Beam Michael Becker Timothy Beebee David Berger James Bilsborrow EM Blitzer Bruce Bosso Andrew Boyes Raymond Bragar Michael Brams John Brett Catherine Brienza Ralph Brown Alizah Brozgold Jesse Brundige Barbara Burger John Burke Elizabeth Wendell Butler Ann & Eric Byne Cynthia Byram Colleen Cahill James Callahan Dr. George Callan Lloyd & Darcy Campbell Rose Case Gabriel Chenard-Poirier Elaine Chin Kathleen Clark Wendy Cohen Elisa Cohen Ashley Collins Michelle Comparetti Joel Confino Ralph Contini, William Priest III Gregory Courtright The Covell-Ranheim Family Andrea Cummis Miranda Danusugondo Jennifer Dauk Mary J Davis/MBL Productions Leslie De Jesus Francisco de Leon Susan & Rick Derrickson Jenni Dickson Robert Discolo Dr. Peter & Debra Distler Dr. Bob Drake Elizabeth Durante Robert Dwyer, Jr. Jay Edelman David Eiaenhardt Thomas Ellenson

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Thanks for putting art in the heart of the community Bank of America recognizes The Town Hall for its success in bringing the arts to performers and audiences throughout the community. /MÕXNTQÕCEMSEMMIAKÕAMMIUEQRAQX ÕVe commend you on creating an opportunity for all to enjoy and share a cultural experience.Õ(EQE RÕSNÕAMNSHEQÕ Õ XEAQR

Thanks for putting art in the heart of the community Visit us at bankofamerica.com/about.

Bank of America recognizes The Town Hall for its success in bringing the arts to performers and audiences throughout the community. /MÕXNTQÕCEMSEMMIAKÕAMMIUEQRAQX ÕVe commend you on creating an opportunity for all to enjoy and share a cultural experience.Õ(EQE RÕSNÕAMNSHEQÕ Õ XEAQR Visit us at bankofamerica.com/about.

©2022 Bank of America Corporation | MAP4117394 | ENT-211-AD

©2022 Bank of America Corporation | MAP4117394 | ENT-211-AD