March 5, 2022 will mark 15 years since the car bombing of Baghdad’s famed literary corridor al-Mutanabbi Street and the 15th year anniversary of the Al-Mutanabbi Street Starts Here movement founded by local bookseller and poet Beau Beausoleil. Each year, across the globe—from Sydney to Berlin, Iowa City to London, Baghdad to Santa Cruz, and of course here in San Francisco—institutions and individuals organize readings as an act of witness to affirm the free exchange of ideas. This loose coalition of literary activists and artists has produced broadsides, anthologies, prints, and a photography project honoring assassinated Iraqi academics titled Shadow and Light. Arion is proud to showcase these creative responses highlighting the power of words to transcend attempts to silence the human spirit through violence and destruction.

Exhibition runs March 1 through May 18, 2022
Gallery hours: 8:30a–5p, Monday–Friday

The Arion Press / Grabhorn Institute
1802 Hays Street, The Presidio
San Francisco, CA 94129