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| “Hindi Zahra”, 2011 (Metallic Lambda Print on Dibond_ed1 of 5). Courtesy of The Third Line and Hassan Hajjaj © |
Much of Hassan Hajjaj’s life has been spent in exploration; at the ripe age of sixteen, the artist moved from his hometown to London and worked as a manager, band promoter, and launched his own clothing, accessories, and furniture.
The new series currently on show at The Third Line pays tribute to a popup studio that Hajjaj has erected over the past thirteen years in cities all over the world. Called My Rock Stars: Volume 1, the series is simultaneously a haut couture street experiment and a revival of African photography from the 60s and 70s. Hajjaj’s subjects range from musicians, designers, to dancers to and include singers, and boxers.
Christopher Spring, curator of North, East and South Africa at The British Museum explains, “The key word in the title is ‘My’ because these are not all global superstars, except in Hassan’s eyes. He is the alchemist who transforms them, on one level, by the simple addition of his signature sunglasses, hats or suits. On a deeper level these images represent a tribute to the great studio masters of African photography.”
This photographic series is an on-going examination of belonging in an increasingly globalized society. Hajjaj bridges the gap between past, present and various cultures with locally-found objects, creating pieces that seamlessly merge folkloric elements into Western contemporary art.
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| “Zezo Tamsamani”; “Caravan”; both 2011 (Metallic Lambda Print on Dibond - ed1 of 5). Courtesy of The Third Line and Hassan Hajjaj © Hassan Hajjaj (Photo credit Zahed Sultan) © |
Oasis Magazine talks to Hassan Hajjaj before his long-awaited exhibition.
My Rock Stars: Volume 1 pays homage to the rock stars in your life and to African portraiture. Who are some of these “rock stars”?
These rock stars are personal friends, who are artists in their own right. Although each individual is unique in character and from a different place around the world, it is their lively spirit and a devotion to tradition that bind them.
Your photos are personal. In this social media world, do you feel that we are losing touch with the personal?
On one level, we are able to meet and share with more people around the world with the increase in technology – it is hyper-connectivity on a more global level, which could be a disadvantage as well. On a micro level, it is a disconnection from the people who are directly in our lives. We often find ourselves sitting in rendezvous or dinners but are more often on our phones than we are in conversation with each other.
So, have we become our own rock stars?
I think there is more of a celebrity following than people actually becoming rock stars. Celebrities are being followed for the wrong reasons; previously they were followed for their art and character whereas now it is about their looks, who they are dating and who they are wearing i.e. not their character. The classic rock star quality was not passed on to many celebrities of this day. Unfortunately, audiences who then often lose their individuality are following these celebrities.
That’s why I have highlighted these rock stars who have maintained their traditions and individuality despite mainstream media.
What would you like those who are viewing your art and popup stores to experience?
I would like them to share an insider’s view of the people around me, to take part in the documenting process of a time and place and to experience life through my eyes. Also, it portrays a fresh angle that bridges the gap between their traditions and future generations. More importantly, it is for the audience to inspire and be inspired.
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