Yemen Through International Lenses [Archives:1998/39/Last Page]
September 28 1998
The International Halaqa House of Culture has hosted a photographic exhibition by ten artists from different countries. Opened on September 23, the exhibition was visited by a large crowd of Yemenis, expatriates, and representatives of the media and diplomatic corp.
Works by the following artists were exhibited:
1- Abdulrahman Al-Aghbari – Yemen,
2- Boushrah Al-Mutawakil – Yemen
3- Basheer Al-Hajj – Jordan
4- Antonio Bricento – Venezuela
5- Barbara Michael – USA
7- Federica Pisarelli – Italy
8- Paola Crociani – Italy
9- Francois Portas – France
10- Anna Puig Rosado – France
“In my photography, I try to portray Yemen as I see it through the eyes of an anthropologist. While I have photos of landscape and architecture it is Yemeni people who primarily attract my attention. While many of my images focus on cross-cultural differences, I hope that they also depict a cross-cultural humanity.
“I bought my first camera when I was in elementary school. It costs 50 cents of my allowance. Since then, a camera has been a constant part of my gear wherever I go, whether on a faraway trip or a walk along the streets of Sanaa.
“As an anthropologist, the first function of my photographs has been documentation of my field work. I have been encouraged by friends and colleagues and other photographers to see artistic merit in them. I like the sound of the title “visual artist,” but I am still adjusting to the fit of that label as applied to myself. If nothing else, I hope my photographs enable viewers to see Yemen from the perspective of an anthropologist, intrigued by cultural difference and similarities.”
“I mainly like Yemen’s unique architecture. Yemenis are excellent in this art since ancient times. Old Sanaa is actually a live museum. the country as a whole is one big art exhibition. An artist, whether a painter, a photographer or a sculptor, can have a lot of inspiration.
“My only concern is that Yemen may become too modernized, to the extent of losing its unique identity. I hope Yemenis will preserve their heritage while embracing the new world.”
Dr. Salah Haddash,
Yemen Times Managing Editor
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