Epicenter

The intersection of art and politics

epicenter-logoEpicenter is a new initiative of the Institute for Policy Studies to amplify ongoing collaborations between artists and policy professionals in Washington, DC.

We will bring artists and policy experts together to create innovative public events, publish written resources on these collaborations, and produce short videos that share the site-specific experiences with a larger national and international audience.

Latest Work

Donald Trump and the Triumph of Anti-Politics

In this fairy tale from 2050, the invisible monster of climate change continues to ravage the land.

Trump: Doubling Down on Dystopia

Today’s dystopia is not your grandfather’s 1984.

My Novel (Accidentally) Predicted Trump

By the time my dystopian future novel went to print, much of that future had become the present.

This Artist is Taking a Historic Step Forward in U.S.-Iranian Relations

Muralist Mehdi Ghadyanloo is the first Iranian artist to do work commissioned by municipal authorities in both Iran and the United States.

Reinventing the Calligraphic Tradition

This Iranian graphic artist puts a new spin on calligraphy in an effort to bring Persian culture to the rest of the world.

“You Can Dance, But Only If You Join the Revolution”

From the comfortable alt-rock of PJ Harvey to the hypnotic antagonism of Anohni, new protest music offers a relief from the official rhythms of war and peace.

Iraq’s Artifacts Have Become Refugees, Too

Here is one artist’s attempt to reconstruct what the Iraq War destroyed.

The Art of Dissidence and Diplomacy

Foreign policy is too important to leave to the “professionals.” Through art and culture, we can all work to make the world a better place.

Wrestling with Iran

Wrestling is the new ping pong when it comes to U.S.-Iranian relations.

Wrestling with Wrestling Jerusalem

A powerful new solo show on the Israel-Palestine conflict presents the sounds of one man wrestling.