Nihal El Aasar Live

Chisenhale Gallery presents a three-part live programme curated by writer, researcher, and DJ Nihal El Aasar, developed in conjunction with Arash Nassiri’s exhibition A Bug’s Life. Across sound, conversation, and performance, the series explores listening as a shared practice, asking how sound operates not as an object but as environment, document, and method across geographies, languages, and temporalities.

This opening event is a live performance by El Aasar, drawing from her archive of music from across Southwest Asia and North Africa. Working entirely in digital format, the set moves between well-known label releases and rare, out of circulation tracks. By placing these recordings side by side, El Aasar explores how sound travels, and how systems of distribution, access, and circulation shape what and how we hear.

Blending experimental, ambient, and traditional compositions, El Aasar will create a sustained atmosphere that invites deep listening. Through subtle shifts in rhythm and texture, the performance will open space for reflection, inviting audiences to slow down and pay attention to what surfaces when listening is not driven by spectacle but by attention.

This event introduces a wider programme that continues across two further evenings: an intimate listening group co-facilitated by El Aasar and London-based artist and filmmaker Juline Hadaya; followed by a closing night of readings and performances with contributions from El Aasar, Sara El Adl, Zein Majali, Bint Mbareh, Alex Quicho and Abbas Zahedi.

Biography

Nihal El Aasar is an Egyptian independent writer, researcher, political analyst, radio host and DJ. She has written about politics, political economy, culture, literature and music in several publications including Verso, Jacobin, Parapraxis, Art Review, Mundial, The Wire, Protean, Novara Media, Africa is a Country, GQ and others, as well as authoring a book chapter about Egyptian political economy and consulting on related issues. She has also been interviewed about her writing and analysis on several platforms. Since 2022, she has been a regular host at NTS radio based in London, where she hosts her monthly show Nile to Bank, highlighting alternative and left-field music from the Arab region as well as hosting music practitioners from the region to highlight the natural overlap and crossovers of musical influences in the Middle East.

Access

This event will be taking place at Chisenhale Gallery. Chisenhale Gallery has flat access with an all-genders, fully accessible toilet. This event will be seated. Earplugs and ear guards are available for visitors to use. This event will be documented for marketing and archival purposes.

We are committed to ensuring our events are accessible for all. Please contact mail@chisenhale.org.uk to discuss your access needs. We will endeavour to meet all requests where possible. Please be advised that requests should be made two weeks in advance of the event.

Image: Omar Kafrawy.