Skip to main content Smithsonian Institution

Catalog Data

Maker:
Fathi Hassan, born 1957  Search this
Medium:
Photographic still from video installation
Dimensions:
H x W: 100 x 70 cm (39 3/8 x 27 9/16 in.)
Type:
Photograph
Geography:
Sudan
Egypt
Date:
1985
Series:
1/3
Label Text:
The potency of words and inscription can inspire contemporary artists. For Fathi Hassan, the local languages and graphic systems of his native Egypt and Sudan provide a visual vocabulary for exploring issues of representation and meaning in his photographs, videos and paintings.
In his works, Fathi Hassan often addresses the balance of power between oral practice and the written word and places particular emphasis on lost languages. Most of his scripts are deliberately illegible, and they thus question the assumption that the written word is always accurate. This image exemplifies Hassan’s artistic practice of linking performance art and photography.
Description:
A photographic still that is part of a video installation, featuring a man's face on the proper left facing a face composed of script.
Exhibition History:
African Mosaic: Celebrating a Decade of Collecting, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2010-November 13, 2013
TEXTures: Word and Symbol in Contemporary African Art, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., February 11-September 4, 2005
Published References:
Kreamer, Christine, Mary Nooter Roberts, Elizabeth Harney and Allyson Purpura. 2007. Inscribing Meaning: Writing and Graphic Systems in African Art. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution; Milan: 5 Continents Editions, p. 215, no. 18.13.
Content Statement:
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests:
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Topic:
Writing  Search this
male  Search this
Credit Line:
Gift of the artist
Object number:
2008-4-2
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
Copyright:
(c) 1985 Fathi Hassan
See more items in:
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source:
National Museum of African Art
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys75c1877e0-ec52-41aa-bb4a-889ba236ada2
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmafa_2008-4-2