Leila Alaoui
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SOME ARE BORN GREAT, SOME ACHIEVE TODAY IN QUOTE GREATNESS, AND SOME HAVE GREAT- 392 1701 1895 2016 HISTORY OF THE NESS THRUST UPON THEM. Roman Emperor William Penn pre- German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen Republican Donald Trump is elected DAY Theodosius declares sents Charter of produces and detects electromagnet- President of the United States of Amer- WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Christian religion the Privileges ic radiation in a wavelength range to- ica, defeating democrat Hillary Clinton, FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2019 state religion day known as X-rays or Röntgen rays who received 2.9 million more votes FRAMES STEP UP Leila Alaoui: A voice for the voiceless The breakdancers of Kabul: Afghan A Madrid exhibition youth busting offers an in- depth look moves at the late Moroccan A Madrid exhibition offers an in- photographer’s depth look at the late Moroccan chronicles of photographer’s chronicles of “disappearing “disappearing traditions” An Afghan breakdancer strikes a pose during a practice session traditions” AFP | Kabul The cultural centre is one of the few places in the Afghan capital where the n the land of suicide bombings, bur- mixed-gender Top Step crew are able to qas, and unending war, a group of practise and feel relatively safe, Lomani IAfghans have turned to breakdanc- says. But even here there are risks. ing for stress relief and self-expression Just five years ago, the centre was at- -- even as fears the Taliban could yet re- tacked by the Taliban as it hosted a play Leila Alaoui’s photos at the exhibition in Madrid turn to power fuel worries of a renewed about suicide bombings, where Lomani crackdown on the arts. was among the injured. Arab News | Dubai days of her life working on an assignment com- “Her models’ expressions, at once humble and At the French Cultural Centre in Ka- missioned by Amnesty International and UN powerful, are neither ‘Moroccan’ nor ‘African’; bul, the group takes turns practising Breaking barriers he art world was in shock when the ac- Women — as part of the international “My they are simply human,” the Paris-based writer the basics -- toprocking, headspins, and For Heja Aalia, who says she is one of claimed French-Moroccan photographer Body My Rights” campaign — to photograph and photographer Guillaume de Sardes, who freezes, while watching YouTube videos just four female breakdancers in Kabul, Tand video artist Leila Alaoui was killed and share stories of women who triumphantly curated the exhibition, wrote in the brochure. on their phones of famous b-boys like there are other worries. in a January 2016 terrorist attack at the Splen- overcame abusive hardships in Ouagadougou, The sheer simplicity of Alaoui’s composition Lilou and Hong Ten for inspiration. “If I train outdoors in our society, peo- did Hotel and the nearby Cappuccino Café in Burkina Faso. is a major part of what makes this particular “Breakdancing keeps us away from ple insult you,” says Aalia, adding that Burkina Faso. The artist was shot while sitting Alaoui’s reputation as an artist and activist series so iconic in the field of contemporary stress and war. It gives us freedom. It many young women are interested in in a vehicle outside the targeted locations and strengthened as her works became (as they photography. frees our minds from the stress of living breakdancing but are unable to get per- died three days later. She was only 33. A friend continue to be) widely showcased in exhibitions For this series, which also acts as an anthro- in Kabul and we forget about the war and mission from their families to try it out. of hers recalled how, days before her departure, at notable venues including the Musée du Quai pological account, Alaoui was influenced by killings,” explains Murtaza Lomani, 23, “It’s really difficult for a girl to practise Alaoui told her, “Don’t worry, I have been to Branly and Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, legendary photographer Robert Frank’s sem- from the Top Step crew. breakdance, especially in Afghanistan more dangerous places.” New York’s 1-54 Contemporary African Art inal photography book “The Americans” and Still, breakdancing is a rare sight in where people think dance is against Dancers during a practice session at the French Cultural Center in Kabul By the time of her death, Alaoui had capti- Fair, the Marrakech Biennale, and Art Dubai. Richard Avedon’s photographic series “In the the fiercely conservative Islamic socie- Islamic culture.” vated audiences with her humane portraiture In addition, Alaoui’s photography was American West.” In “The Americans” ty, where traditional folk music mostly The sport first originated in New culture that has gone on to dominate quick to embrace that culture, decades documenting — among other topics — the fra- acquisitioned by major cultural — published in the 1950s — Frank dominates the radiowaves and dancing York’s Bronx borough in the 1970s, where everything from pop music to fashion of war and hardline Taliban rule in the gility of human life in refugee settlements in institutions, including Lon- embarked on several road trips takes place mainly at gender-segregated “breaking” along with rap music and worldwide in the ensuing decades. 1990s prevented the phenomenon from the Levant, the status-quo of women’s rights don’s British Museum and across America, reaching 30 weddings. graffiti art formed the pillars of hip hop But while the rest of the world was taking root in Afghanistan. in Africa, and the grace exuded by members the Maison Européenne de states and documenting “Afghan society has changed a bit in re- of local communities in traditional Moroccan la Photographie in Paris. post-war American cul- cent years, the generations have changed cities. A courageous and socially committed Paying homage to her ture, touched by racism and people are thinking positively,” says artist, Alaoui was once described as giving “a photographic work is and consumerism. Ave- Lomani, who admits that many laughed voice to the voiceless.” Casa Árabe — the rep- don’s 1970s and 1980s at their dance moves when they first Born in Paris and raised in Marrakech, the utable Madrid-based portrait series defied started in 2011. New York-educated Alaoui was sensitive to institution that was in- stereotypes with his “But we have convinced some youth her social surroundings and focused on using A photo by Leila Alaoui augurated in 2008 with portrayal of ordinary and now it is really good that we prac- photography to highlight critical issues that the unique mission of individuals of the rural tise,” he adds. Mediterranean communities face: particularly linking Spain and the West — a region that was Fellow Top Step member Obaidullah migration, displacement and identity. Alaoui Leila Alaoui spent the last days Arab world through di- idealized in the American Koofi, 24, says he first got interested in was involved with a range of NGO-assigned of her life working on an assign- verse programming and imagination. Evidently, breakdancing after seeing videos online. photographic opportunities, including her col- ment commissioned by Amnesty cultural activities. For the Alaoui shared both photogra- “We learn our new moves from You- laboration with the Danish Refugee Council, for International and UN Women to first time in Spain — through phers’ sense of adventure, com- A photo by Leila Alaoui Tube, and YouTube is our mentor be- which she photographed displaced Syrian men, photograph and share stories the collaborative efforts of the position style, and commitment to cause we do not have any trainer here women, and children in Lebanon six years ago of women who triumphantly Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco Leila Alaoui capturing hidden realities. Morocco, an archival work on the aesthetics of to... teach us,” he says. in a series called “Natreen (We Wait).” in Spain, the Leila Alaoui Foundation, and the “She was trying to present these individuals disappearing traditions through contemporary Another significant work from her oeuvre is overcame abusive hardships in Musée Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakech, in- from a pictorial point of view,” explained José digital photography.” 2013’s “Crossings,” a three-channel video instal- Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso cluding Hélicon Axis — visitors were granted Tono Martínez of the Spanish cultural man- In her thoughtful artistry, Alaoui showed an lation in which Alaoui humanized the struggles the opportunity to observe 30 photographs agement firm, Hélicon Axis, to Arab News. admirable devotion to storytelling, even in the of sub-Saharan migrants making their way to taken by Alaoui in an exhibition entitled “The “She wanted to also present them with a lot midst of violent settings, offering hope not just Europe. Alaoui conducted extensive research Moroccans,” that ran through September 22. of respect, like the portraits made by the great to future generations of photographers, but, in for this six-minute project, talking to migrants, “The Moroccans” — shot between 2010 and painters during the 15th and 16th centuries. She a way, to the region as well. Breakdancing keeps us journalists, and activists to gain a better under- 2014 — was a poignant exhibition. Alaoui trav- was not fond of the (Orientalist) point of view. “She represents something very positive, away from stress and war. standing of Morocco’s migration crisis. elled across Morocco, visiting rural towns and If you see her pictures, you will see this sort which is what we need to demonstrate in front It gives us freedom. It On her deep interest in exploring this com- setting up a mobile studio in public markets, of objective presentation, with a lot of dignity. of non-Arabs in Europe,” said Nuria Medina frees our minds from the plex theme, Alaoui once reflected: “Throughout inviting men and women to come and be pho- These are not executives working in Rabat or García, the cultural programs coordinator at stress of living in Kabul my adolescence in Morocco, stories of migrants tographed in a formal manner.