View From Inside is an expansive presentation of
This stunning book contains over 200 artworks.
The four texts in this book cover the early appearance of
contemporary Arab photography, video and mixed
It is a co-production between Schilt Publishing and
photography in the Middle East and North Africa in the
media art from the Middle East and North Africa.
FotoFest International.
mid-nineteenth century through photography’s evolution
The book shows the works of 49 leading Arab artists
as an integral part of the contemporary Arab art world. The
from 13 countries. These works reflect the emergence
author of the lead essay on contemporary photographic art is
of photographic, video and digital art as important
the pioneering curator and expert on classical Islamic art and
forms of creative visual expression in the Arab world
contemporary Arab art, Karin Adrian von Roques. Ms. Von
since the 1990s. The artworks address a broad range
Roques has worked in the Middle East and North Africa for
of issues that the artists themselves have defined as
more than two decades, bringing important contemporary
important to the modern Arab experience.
Arab art to museum audiences in Europe, Asia and the United States. Essays on the history of photography in the Arab world Ebtisam AbdulAziz
Joana Hadjithomas and
photographer, writer and co-founder of the Fondation Arabe
Khalil Abdul Wahid
pour l’Image in Beirut, and Dr. Claude W. Sui, Senior Curator
Ammar Al-Beik
Khaled Hafez
of the Forum International of Photography at the Reiss-
Manal AlDowayan
Hassan Hajjaj
Engelhorn Museum in Mannheim, Germany and curator
Shadia Alem
Rula Halawani
of exhibitions on nineteenth century photography in Arabia,
Reem Al Faisal
Nermine Hammam
including To the Holy Lands: From Mecca and Medina to
Sadik Alfraji
Hazem Harb
Jerusalem. Mona Khazindar, Director General of the Institut
Tarek Al-Ghoussein
Hazem Taha Hussein
du Monde Arabe in Paris looks at the development on the
Boushra Almutawakel
Georges Fikry Ibrahim
history of modern Arab photography and its relationship
Khalifa Al Obaidly
Noel Jabbour
to contemporary art. Wendy Watriss, Senior Curator and
Jowhara AlSaud
Ahmed Jadallah
Artistic Director for FotoFest International provides the
Sama Alshaibi
Mohamed Kanoo
philosophical overview of the book in her introduction.
Karima Al-Shomely
Mohammed Kazem
Sami Al Turki
Huda Lutfi
Tammam Azzam
Maha Malluh
Lara Baladi
Ahmed Mater
Hicham Benohoud
Hassan Meer
Ayman Yossri Daydban
Samer Mohdad
Shady El Noshokaty
Youssef Nabil
Ayman El Semary
Ayman Ramadan
Lalla Essaydi
Steve Sabella
Mounir Fatmi
Faisal Samra
Lamya Gargash
Wael Shawky
Abdulnasser Gharem
Camille Zakharia
www.fotofest.org www.schiltpublishing.com
Khalil Joreige
Contemporary Arab Photography, Video and Mixed Media Art
have been written by Samer Mohdad, a well-known Lebanese
View From Inside
About the authors of this book
Contemporary Arab Photography, Video and Mixed Media Art
View From Inside COVER ILLUSTR ATION
Sadik Alfraji (Iraq) The House That My Father Built, 2010 Video, Photographs and Painting Installation Lambda Prints, Indian Ink, Rice Paper and Oil on Canvas Courtesy of the Artist and Ayyam Gallery, Dubai and London
View From Inside Contemporary Arab Photography, Video and Mixed Media Art
FOTOFEST, HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA SCHILT
PUBLISHING, AMSTERDAM, NL
View From Inside Contemporary Arab Photography, Video and Mixed Media Art
FOTOFEST, HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA SCHILT
PUBLISHING, AMSTERDAM, NL
ISBN 978 90 5330 825 7 © 2014
MAJOR SPONSORS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
9
FotoFest Inc., Houston
www.fotofest.org © 2014
View From Inside WENDY WATRISS
Schilt Publishing, Amsterdam
www.schiltpublishing.com
17
D ES I G N
HvADesign, New York
On Art and Photography A Situation Report
Henk van Assen, Principal
K ARIN ADRIAN VON ROQUES
Anna Wexler, Designer www.hvadesign.com TE X T CO RREC TI ON
46
Kumar Jamdagni, Zwolle
WORK S
www.language-matters.nl CO PY E DITI N G
269
Polly Koch, Houston PRI NT & LOGI STI CS MA NAGE ME NT
KOMESO GmbH, Stuttgart www.komeso.com PRI NTI N G
Offizin Scheufele, Stuttgart www.scheufele.de
Distribution in North America Ingram Publisher Services One Ingram Blvd. LaVergne, TN 37086 IPS : 866-765-0179 E -mail:
The Beginning of Photography in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia during the Ottoman Empire of the Nineteenth Century
M I D D L E EAST TR A D I N G LTD .
307
TH E L E VA NT FOU N DATI ON TH E C U L L E N FOU N DATI ON
customer.service@ingrampublisherservices.com
Tracing the History of Photography in the Arab World A Personal Perspective
Distribution in the Netherlands
DR. CLAUDE W. SUI
SAMER MOHDAD
Centraal Boekhuis, Culemborg Distribution in all other countries
317
Thames & Hudson Ltd 181a High Holborn London
Arab Photography Changes in an Art Form
WC1V 7QX
MONA KHAZINDAR
Phone: +44 (0)20 7845 5000 Fax: +44 (0)20 7845 5055 E -mail:
sales@thameshudson.co.uk
Schilt Publishing books, limited editions and prints are available online via www.schiltpublishing.com Inquiries via sales@schiltpublishing.com
324
B IB LIOGR APH IES
327
B IOGR APH IES
340
ACKN OWLE D GM E NTS
ISBN 978 90 5330 825 7 © 2014
MAJOR SPONSORS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
9
FotoFest Inc., Houston
www.fotofest.org © 2014
View From Inside WENDY WATRISS
Schilt Publishing, Amsterdam
www.schiltpublishing.com
17
D ES I G N
HvADesign, New York
On Art and Photography A Situation Report
Henk van Assen, Principal
K ARIN ADRIAN VON ROQUES
Anna Wexler, Designer www.hvadesign.com TE X T CO RREC TI ON
46
Kumar Jamdagni, Zwolle
WORK S
www.language-matters.nl CO PY E DITI N G
269
Polly Koch, Houston PRI NT & LOGI STI CS MA NAGE ME NT
KOMESO GmbH, Stuttgart www.komeso.com PRI NTI N G
Offizin Scheufele, Stuttgart www.scheufele.de
Distribution in North America Ingram Publisher Services One Ingram Blvd. LaVergne, TN 37086 IPS : 866-765-0179 E -mail:
The Beginning of Photography in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia during the Ottoman Empire of the Nineteenth Century
M I D D L E EAST TR A D I N G LTD .
307
TH E L E VA NT FOU N DATI ON TH E C U L L E N FOU N DATI ON
customer.service@ingrampublisherservices.com
Tracing the History of Photography in the Arab World A Personal Perspective
Distribution in the Netherlands
DR. CLAUDE W. SUI
SAMER MOHDAD
Centraal Boekhuis, Culemborg Distribution in all other countries
317
Thames & Hudson Ltd 181a High Holborn London
Arab Photography Changes in an Art Form
WC1V 7QX
MONA KHAZINDAR
Phone: +44 (0)20 7845 5000 Fax: +44 (0)20 7845 5055 E -mail:
sales@thameshudson.co.uk
Schilt Publishing books, limited editions and prints are available online via www.schiltpublishing.com Inquiries via sales@schiltpublishing.com
324
B IB LIOGR APH IES
327
B IOGR APH IES
340
ACKN OWLE D GM E NTS
AR AB WORLD
BAHR AIN
LEBANON
PALESTINE
SYRIA
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Mohamed Kanoo
Joana Hadjithomas
Tarek Al-Ghoussein (Palestine/Kuwait)
Ammar Al-Beik
and Khalil Joreige
Rula Halawani
Tammam Azzam
Samer Mohdad (Lebanon/Belgium)
Hazem Harb
Camille Zakharia
Noel Jabbour
EGYPT Lara Baladi Shady El Noshokaty
Ahmed Jadallah (Palestinian Territories)
UNITED AR AB EMIR ATES (UAE) Ebtisam AbdulAziz
Ayman El Semary
MOROCCO
Khaled Hafez
Hicham Benohoud
Nermine Hammam
Lalla Essaydi
QATAR
Lamya Gargash
Hazem Taha Hussein
Mounir Fatmi
Khalifa Al Obaidly
Mohammed Kazem
Georges Fikry Ibrahim
Hassan Hajjaj
Huda Lutfi Youssef Nabil Ayman Ramadan Wael Shawky
Steve Sabella
Khalil Abdul Wahid Karima Al-Shomely
SAUDI AR ABIA
YEMEN
OMAN
Manal AlDowayan
Boushra Almutawakel
Hassan Meer
Shadia Alem Reem Al Faisal Jowhara AlSaud
IR AQ
Sami Al Turki
Sadik Alfraji
Ayman Yossri Daydban
Sama Alshaibi (Iraq/Palestine)
Abdulnasser Gharem Maha Malluh Ahmed Mater Faisal Samra
AR AB WORLD
BAHR AIN
LEBANON
PALESTINE
SYRIA
MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA
Mohamed Kanoo
Joana Hadjithomas
Tarek Al-Ghoussein (Palestine/Kuwait)
Ammar Al-Beik
and Khalil Joreige
Rula Halawani
Tammam Azzam
Samer Mohdad (Lebanon/Belgium)
Hazem Harb
Camille Zakharia
Noel Jabbour
EGYPT Lara Baladi Shady El Noshokaty
Ahmed Jadallah (Palestinian Territories)
UNITED AR AB EMIR ATES (UAE) Ebtisam AbdulAziz
Ayman El Semary
MOROCCO
Khaled Hafez
Hicham Benohoud
Nermine Hammam
Lalla Essaydi
QATAR
Lamya Gargash
Hazem Taha Hussein
Mounir Fatmi
Khalifa Al Obaidly
Mohammed Kazem
Georges Fikry Ibrahim
Hassan Hajjaj
Huda Lutfi Youssef Nabil Ayman Ramadan Wael Shawky
Steve Sabella
Khalil Abdul Wahid Karima Al-Shomely
SAUDI AR ABIA
YEMEN
OMAN
Manal AlDowayan
Boushra Almutawakel
Hassan Meer
Shadia Alem Reem Al Faisal Jowhara AlSaud
IR AQ
Sami Al Turki
Sadik Alfraji
Ayman Yossri Daydban
Sama Alshaibi (Iraq/Palestine)
Abdulnasser Gharem Maha Malluh Ahmed Mater Faisal Samra
A world where a family from South Arabia could move to Spain and after six centuries return nearer to its place of origin and still find itself in familiar surroundings, had a unity which transcended divisions of time and space; the Arabic language could open the door to office and influence throughout the world; a body of knowledge transmitted over the centuries by a known chain of teachers, preserved a moral community even when rulers changed; place of pilgrimage, Mecca and Jerusalem, were unchanging poles of the human world even if power shifted from one city to another . . . . Albert Hourani, A HIS TORY OF THE AR AB PEOPLES
VIE W F ROM INS ID E
1
View From Inside Wendy Watriss in this quote from his classic book — A History of the Arab Peoples—Albert
Hourani writes about the Arab world of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. It is a time of course that has changed but it is also about a part of history that defined a key region of the world for four hundred years—a history which continues to this day in unexpected ways. In reading Professor Hourani’s book, one marvels at the sheer density and multiplicity of civilizations, religions and communities of people who have occupied, re-occupied and moved across lands that lie between Asia, the Russian steppes, western Europe and Africa. They brought into the region and then fought over Buddhism, Islam, Eastern Orthodoxy, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and many forms of Christianity. It is a permeable region, more open to the movements of people west, east and south than most. It has few natural barriers against conquest—no vast oceans, impassable mountains or broad dry steppes. Even the Arabian Peninsula, distanced by desert from the centers of ancient civilizations for many years, is itself easily approachable from the Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf or the Red Sea. Hazem Harb (Palestine) Me and the Other Half (Series #3/3), 2012 Silver Gelatin Print Courtesy of the Artist and Athr Gallery, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
These are lands of trade and commerce, pathways from west to east and vice versa, marked by great caravan routes. Palmyra, an ancient Arabic city at the western end of the Silk Route in what was Greater Syria, was larger than Rome in 300 BC. Its gold-hued columns, temples and amphitheater still bear witness to many civilizations—ancient
9
A world where a family from South Arabia could move to Spain and after six centuries return nearer to its place of origin and still find itself in familiar surroundings, had a unity which transcended divisions of time and space; the Arabic language could open the door to office and influence throughout the world; a body of knowledge transmitted over the centuries by a known chain of teachers, preserved a moral community even when rulers changed; place of pilgrimage, Mecca and Jerusalem, were unchanging poles of the human world even if power shifted from one city to another . . . . Albert Hourani, A HIS TORY OF THE AR AB PEOPLES
VIE W F ROM INS ID E
1
View From Inside Wendy Watriss in this quote from his classic book — A History of the Arab Peoples—Albert
Hourani writes about the Arab world of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. It is a time of course that has changed but it is also about a part of history that defined a key region of the world for four hundred years—a history which continues to this day in unexpected ways. In reading Professor Hourani’s book, one marvels at the sheer density and multiplicity of civilizations, religions and communities of people who have occupied, re-occupied and moved across lands that lie between Asia, the Russian steppes, western Europe and Africa. They brought into the region and then fought over Buddhism, Islam, Eastern Orthodoxy, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and many forms of Christianity. It is a permeable region, more open to the movements of people west, east and south than most. It has few natural barriers against conquest—no vast oceans, impassable mountains or broad dry steppes. Even the Arabian Peninsula, distanced by desert from the centers of ancient civilizations for many years, is itself easily approachable from the Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf or the Red Sea. Hazem Harb (Palestine) Me and the Other Half (Series #3/3), 2012 Silver Gelatin Print Courtesy of the Artist and Athr Gallery, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
These are lands of trade and commerce, pathways from west to east and vice versa, marked by great caravan routes. Palmyra, an ancient Arabic city at the western end of the Silk Route in what was Greater Syria, was larger than Rome in 300 BC. Its gold-hued columns, temples and amphitheater still bear witness to many civilizations—ancient
9
view from inside casts light on a region whose art and photography until
recently have not attracted broad international attention. I speak here of what is now called the M EN A SA region, which includes countries from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. In this book, we are dealing with works that are mainly from the Middle East and North Africa.
photography, video, and mixed-media art, giving insights into important aspects of Arab thought and life. These are works and perspectives that closely portray important social and cultural events in the Arab world. The aim is, on the one hand, to introduce
The Arab world is undergoing profound change. The works it produces
ON A RT A ND PHOTOGR A PHY
This book presents an unusually broad and varied selection of contemporary Arab
are evidence of this process
On Art and Photography A Situation Report Karin Adrian von Roques the complex and heterogeneous M EN A SA art scene with all its diverse, interesting, and innovative contexts and, on the other, to sensitize viewers to the political dimensions of the works the region produces. The selection reflects a generation of Arab artists whose work developed, so to speak, when technologies such as satellite television, the Internet, photo digital processes, and social media first became widely Youssef Nabil (Egypt) I will go to Paradise, Self-portrait Hyères, 2008 Handcolored Silver Gelatin Print Courtesy of the Artist and Nathalie Obadia Gallery, Paris/ Brussels
available in the Arab world.
“Photography acts as a magic key to any cultural society. The medium is special as it permits a complete freedom of speech, and without any need of a translator the message is universally recognized. One of the best aspects of photography today is that it is supported by the Internet, especially through social media platforms. We are now able to share our snapshots of society around the world instantly.” This is the response of the Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem to the question of what photography means to him.1
17
view from inside casts light on a region whose art and photography until
recently have not attracted broad international attention. I speak here of what is now called the M EN A SA region, which includes countries from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. In this book, we are dealing with works that are mainly from the Middle East and North Africa.
photography, video, and mixed-media art, giving insights into important aspects of Arab thought and life. These are works and perspectives that closely portray important social and cultural events in the Arab world. The aim is, on the one hand, to introduce
The Arab world is undergoing profound change. The works it produces
ON A RT A ND PHOTOGR A PHY
This book presents an unusually broad and varied selection of contemporary Arab
are evidence of this process
On Art and Photography A Situation Report Karin Adrian von Roques the complex and heterogeneous M EN A SA art scene with all its diverse, interesting, and innovative contexts and, on the other, to sensitize viewers to the political dimensions of the works the region produces. The selection reflects a generation of Arab artists whose work developed, so to speak, when technologies such as satellite television, the Internet, photo digital processes, and social media first became widely Youssef Nabil (Egypt) I will go to Paradise, Self-portrait Hyères, 2008 Handcolored Silver Gelatin Print Courtesy of the Artist and Nathalie Obadia Gallery, Paris/ Brussels
available in the Arab world.
“Photography acts as a magic key to any cultural society. The medium is special as it permits a complete freedom of speech, and without any need of a translator the message is universally recognized. One of the best aspects of photography today is that it is supported by the Internet, especially through social media platforms. We are now able to share our snapshots of society around the world instantly.” This is the response of the Saudi artist Abdulnasser Gharem to the question of what photography means to him.1
17
Ebtisam AbdulAziz
Karima Al-Shomely
Joana Hadjithomas and
Khalil Abdul Wahid
Sami Al Turki
Ammar Al-Beik
Tammam Azzam
Khaled Hafez
Maha Malluh
Manal AlDowayan
Lara Baladi
Hassan Hajjaj
Ahmed Mater
Shadia Alem
Hicham Benohoud
Rula Halawani
Hassan Meer
Reem Al Faisal
Ayman Yossri Daydban
Nermine Hammam
Samer Mohdad
Sadik Alfraji
Shady El Noshokaty
Hazem Harb
Youssef Nabil
Tarek Al-Ghoussein
Ayman El Semary
Hazem Taha Hussein
Ayman Ramadan
Boushra Almutawakel
Lalla Essaydi
Georges Fikry Ibrahim
Steve Sabella
Khalifa Al Obaidly
Mounir Fatmi
Noel Jabbour
Faisal Samra
Jowhara AlSaud
Lamya Gargash
Ahmed Jadallah
Wael Shawky
Sama Alshaibi
Abdulnasser Gharem
Mohamed Kanoo
Camille Zakharia
Khalil Joreige
Mohammed Kazem Huda Lutfi
Ebtisam AbdulAziz
Karima Al-Shomely
Joana Hadjithomas and
Khalil Abdul Wahid
Sami Al Turki
Ammar Al-Beik
Tammam Azzam
Khaled Hafez
Maha Malluh
Manal AlDowayan
Lara Baladi
Hassan Hajjaj
Ahmed Mater
Shadia Alem
Hicham Benohoud
Rula Halawani
Hassan Meer
Reem Al Faisal
Ayman Yossri Daydban
Nermine Hammam
Samer Mohdad
Sadik Alfraji
Shady El Noshokaty
Hazem Harb
Youssef Nabil
Tarek Al-Ghoussein
Ayman El Semary
Hazem Taha Hussein
Ayman Ramadan
Boushra Almutawakel
Lalla Essaydi
Georges Fikry Ibrahim
Steve Sabella
Khalifa Al Obaidly
Mounir Fatmi
Noel Jabbour
Faisal Samra
Jowhara AlSaud
Lamya Gargash
Ahmed Jadallah
Wael Shawky
Sama Alshaibi
Abdulnasser Gharem
Mohamed Kanoo
Camille Zakharia
Khalil Joreige
Mohammed Kazem Huda Lutfi
Tarek Al-Ghoussein
46
47
NEX T SPREAD
R I G H T, TO P
Tarek Al-Ghoussein (Palestine / Kuwait)
Untitled 4, 2009 From the D II series Inkjet Print
L E F T, TO P RIGHT
RIGHT
Tarek Al-Ghoussein (Palestine / Kuwait) (In) Beautification No 1333, 2012 From the series (In) Beautification Inkjet Print Courtesy of the Artist, The Third Line, Dubai, UAE and Taymour Grahne Gallery New York
Tarek Al-Ghoussein (Palestine / Kuwait) (In) Beautification No 1333, 2012 From the series (In) Beautification Inkjet Print Courtesy of the Artist, The Third Line, Dubai, UAE and Taymour Grahne Gallery New York
Untitled 6, 2008 From the D series Inkjet Print L E F T, B OT TO M
Untitled 23, 2008 From the D series Inkjet Print
R I G H T, B OT TO M
Untitled 5, 2009 From the D II series Inkjet Print [A L L] Courtesy of the Artist, The Third Line, Dubai, UAE and Taymour Grahne Gallery New York
Tarek Al-Ghoussein
46
47
NEX T SPREAD
R I G H T, TO P
Tarek Al-Ghoussein (Palestine / Kuwait)
Untitled 4, 2009 From the D II series Inkjet Print
L E F T, TO P RIGHT
RIGHT
Tarek Al-Ghoussein (Palestine / Kuwait) (In) Beautification No 1333, 2012 From the series (In) Beautification Inkjet Print Courtesy of the Artist, The Third Line, Dubai, UAE and Taymour Grahne Gallery New York
Tarek Al-Ghoussein (Palestine / Kuwait) (In) Beautification No 1333, 2012 From the series (In) Beautification Inkjet Print Courtesy of the Artist, The Third Line, Dubai, UAE and Taymour Grahne Gallery New York
Untitled 6, 2008 From the D series Inkjet Print L E F T, B OT TO M
Untitled 23, 2008 From the D series Inkjet Print
R I G H T, B OT TO M
Untitled 5, 2009 From the D II series Inkjet Print [A L L] Courtesy of the Artist, The Third Line, Dubai, UAE and Taymour Grahne Gallery New York