Barakat Contemporary is pleased to present Zifzafa, Lawrence Abu Hamdan‘s first solo exhibition in Korea, from September 3 to November 3. Abu Hamdan is a researcher, filmmaker, writer, and activist who describes himself as a “Private Ear” using sound to shape his artistic practice. He has conducted sonic investigations in Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, France, and the UK, which he conveys through his distinctive aesthetic vision. Working closely with NGOs such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Defense for Children International, and B’Tselem, Abu Hamdan emphasizes the essential role of the “politics of listening” in his work. His sound pieces resonate with people on the margins of society, including those exposed to war and violence, and have been utilized as concrete legal evidence in conflict resolution.
Lawrence Abu Hamdan’s new project Zifzafa, premiering at Barakat Contemporary, refers to an Arabic word that describes the sound of wind as it causes objects, leaves, and everything in its path to rattle and shake. Zifzafa embodies both the wind and the resulting sound effects, where sound and wind are inextricably connected. At Barakat Contemporary, Abu Hamdan will present his new project, which explores the interplay of sound and wind contained in “zifzafa” within a broader geopolitical context.
Press release from Barakat Contemporary
Image: Lawrence Abu Hamdan. Still image from Tilting at Windmills. 2024. 6 seconds. Dimensions variable. CGI animation, colour. Image courtesy of the artist and Barakat Contemporary
