As part of her exhibition at the U.S. Pavilion, Simone Leigh convened scholars, artists, and activists from around the world for a major project, Loophole of Retreat: Venice, Oct 7-9, 2022 at the Fondazione Cini in Venice, Italy. Organized by Rashida Bumbray with curatorial advisors Saidiya Hartman, University Professor at Columbia University, and Tina Campt, Owen F. Walker Professor of Humanities and Modern Culture and Media, Brown University, the three-day symposium comprised dialogue, performances, and presentations centered on Black women’s intellectual and creative labor. The symposium is guided by key directives including: Maroonage, Manual, Magical Realism, Medicine, and Sovereignty For more information see: https://simoneleighvenice2022.org/loophole-of-retreat/