Anida Yoeu Ali exhibits and performs an international year of loss with 鈥淚n Memoriam: The Red Chador鈥 in the US, Cambodia and Australia

Performance artist and IAS faculty member Anida Yoeu Ali began 2018 without her trademark sequined 鈥渞ed chador鈥 one-of-kind costume. In her latest interview with , Ali discussed the disappearance of her garment and her desire to memorialize the work and create anew despite the loss. Ali鈥檚 costume was last seen in Tel Aviv, Israel as checked in luggage in December 2017. Months later, the luggage containing the original costume was never found nor returned. Slated for an exhibition titled in May 2018 at the Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia, Ali decided she would continue to make art despite the fatal set back. Her exhibition in Philadelphia included a performance of a eulogy for The Red Chador at the inaugural held May 5, 2018. An equally powerful can be found online where Ali has invited people to reflect on their encounters with the Red Chador around the world.

Following the first memorial in Philadelphia, Ali was also invited to exhibit and perform a second memorial exhibition in Phnom Penh, Cambodia at Java Creative Cafe titled 鈥溾 The work featuring framed archival photos, ritual objects and a newspaper of obituaries was on extended view from July 12 – Sept 15, 2018.

The to The Red Chador was recently held in Adelaide, Australia at the 2018 Oz Asia Festival. is Australia鈥檚 leading international arts festival engaging with Asia. Held over 18 days, the annual OzAsia Festival program presents the best in contemporary dance, theatre, music, visual art, film, and literature from across Asia today to an audience of nearly 200,000 people. Ali鈥檚 current exhibition in Gallery 2 at Adelaide鈥檚 Festival Centre is on display from Oct 24 – Nov 30, 2018. Ali also gave an interview with regarding her recent exhibition and final performance.

Next year, Ali says she plans to 鈥渞ebirth鈥 the Red Chador, stronger and even more joyous than before. 鈥淏ecause the work was disrupted she has to come back,鈥 she says, 鈥渂ut in solidarity with other issues that are going on.鈥