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 emphasises 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 utilised 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.
Lawrence Abu Hamdan is an international sound artist and professional audio investigator based in Beirut. His broad body of work extends beyond the field of art to activism, filmmaking, and scientific research, through which he examines the aesthetics of sound and the interconnection of power, listening, and truth.
Opened in 2016 in the centre of Seoul, Barakat Contemporary is an exhibition space where visitors can appreciate and anticipate the contemporary art that must be noted internationally today. Barakat Contemporary focuses on in-depth research and planning into the important topics in international society and contemporary art, presenting to the domestic and international audience artists who show a humanities-based perspective on the present era. The gallery supports long-term growth of unique artists from various cultures, including Africa, America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, and offers audiences an uncommon opportunity to explore contemporary issues arising from the points of contact between each society and culture.
