….. and other seemingly unrelated things
These photos were taken at Aga Khan Park where there is a CONTACT Photography Festival exhibit of images by Hassan Hajjaj (b. 1961, Morocco). The subject of these photos is Arab women boxers. The exhibit is titled, “La Salle de Gym de Femmes Arabes”
I was disappointed when I realized that the photographer was male. Do we need men to tell women’s stories? Or, if these stories were told by a woman, how would they differ?
….especially with respect to this photo. Really? Yellow heart-shaped sunglasses?
It may be culturally insensitive, but I see very little to like in this photo. I don’t see strong women, I see women being erased because they have to hide behind so many layers and so many restrictions. There is no empowerment here; there is no individuality.
Yes, those are cans of food in all the borders. And yes, they are supposed to remind us of Andy Warhol’s use of Campbell soup cans.
below: This is “ALIF” by Acil Benamara. It is part of “Inner Structures – Outer Rhythms” which is an exhibit showcasing contemporary Arabic and Persian graphic design and typography. The rest of the exhibit is inside the museum.
below: A fox among the serviceberry trees.
The magnolias were also in bloom.

















