Hassan Hajjaj
Vogue, The Arab Issue
Vibrant portraiture set inside a world of bold colors, varied textures, and frenzied patterns commands attention in VOGUE, The Arab Issue. Hassan Hajjaj’s photography challenges the viewer through an eclectic confrontation of styles and invites them to re-examine cultural stereotypes and cliches. Alive on Fotografiska New York’s third floor, this immersive exhibition brings together five important series developed over the past three decades.
For his shoot, he asked local women to pose wearing his creations – traditional Moroccan djellabas, hijabs, caftans, and babouches covered with candy-colored polka dots, leopard prints, or counterfeit brand logos – in the streets of the Medina, often parodying the poses typical of Western models. The photographs are dated with two different years, one from the Western calendar (such as 2000), followed by one from the Islamic calendar (1421).
ABOUT THE ARTIST
British-Moroccan photographer and multidisciplinary artist Hassan Hajjaj is an entirely self-taught artist, with a diverse practice that includes portraiture, installation, performance, fashion, and furniture design.
Often dubbed “the Andy Warhol of Marrakesh,” Hassan Hajjaj embraces a melting pot of influences in his work, from kitsch to popular culture, from Africa to London street style, from hip-hop to Haute couture.
VOGUE, The Arab Issue is organized by Fotografiska in collaboration with Maison Européenne de la Photographie and the artist, and is coordinated by Meredith Breech and Grace Noh of Fotografiska, New York.
“Rather than just using the country as the prop, I wanted to make it look grand. I wanted to take the Moroccan clothes and the people and shoot them in this celebratory way.”