The Anarchist Citizenship: Ode to Youthful Daredevils (2017-ongoing)
In their project ‘The Anarchist Citizenship’ curator and researcher Amal Alhaag and artist Nadine Stijns examine the youth culture of Somaliland; since 1991, a self-proclaimed autonomous republic in today’s north-western Somalia. Stijns and Alhaag show how young Somalis in the capital Hargeisa explore the boundaries of their country’s strict public rules of conduct. As young ‘daredevils’ they try to follow their curiosity, forget their worries and celebrate their zest for life through fashion, image, culture and friendship. The colourful, silk-printed photographs show Somaliland’s extraordinary visual culture. All images are made in close co-production with the people portrayed, who themselves decided on poses, locations, backgrounds, clothing and style, thus giving a more nuanced picture of the region than the prevailing Western stereotypes.
Socially-engaged artist Nadine Stijns works on long-term projects concerning labour, migration and national identity in postcolonial regions. The story she wants to tell forms the starting point for her visual language. Curator and researcher Amal Alhaag has Somali roots and is interested in counter-cultures and geopolitics. Both share a passion for fashion, music, youth and pop culture, and work on diaspora-related projects. In 2014, Alhaag visited Somaliland for the first time, an experience she shared with Nadine Stijns. This became the starting point for their joint project ‘The Anarchist Citizenship’.
with thanks to: Muna, Fadumo, Farhiyo, Warda, Hyatt, Balqiis, Khalid, Maidhane, Hanan, MIAP & Stroom Den Haag
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