The Muses Are Heard: Artistic Responses to Oct 7th and the Israel-Gaza War with Stav Meishar

This talk explores the rich and varied artistic responses of Israeli and Palestinian artists to the events of October 7th and the first year of the ensuing war. Spanning visual arts, music, poetry, theatre, circus, and more, these works offer a window into the human experience during a time of profound turmoil.

From evocative paintings and photographs that reimagine historical masterpieces to street activism that fuses art with ethics, artists are channeling their realities into powerful forms of expression. Musicians and poets wrestle with the evolving landscape through melody and verse, while guerilla circus performances provide Gaza’s children with a creative outlet.

These artistic responses, both deeply personal and broadly political, reflect a broad spectrum of emotions and narratives surrounding the conflict. Together, we will uncover how these creations capture pain, resilience, and hope, offering a poignant yet uplifting testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Stav Meishar (she/they) is an award-winning performance maker, interdisciplinary artist, researcher, and educator. Their work seeks to intersect history and current affairs by mixing together tools from the worlds of theatre, circus, and contemporary performance, exploring the power of art as an investigative tool for inciting change.

As a dedicated historic researcher, writer, and lecturer, Stav’s work spans their many interests, intersecting Jewish culture, circus history and/or queer history. Stav’s research has been presented in academic conferences, festivals, and public events around the world.