Base | Naima Morelli

Published! Interview with Dinh Q. Le on CoBo

22-03-2022

“Dinh Q. Lê: Photographing the thread of memory” at the musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac in Paris marks the first comprehensive introduction of Lê’s weaving work to a European audience.

The show comprises three different bodies of work from the 1990s to present day. The first section, “Light and Belief”, is focused on Vietnam, with reference to the Vietnam War and the experience of the Vietnamese diaspora. “Splendor and Darkness” looks at the genocide carried out by he Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Lastly, “Adrift in Darkness” utilises images of migrants to reflect on the tragedies of crossing the Mediterranean by boat.

I down with the artist for CoBo Social, to talk about the themes of his new show and his weaving process.

Here is the link to the piece

Published: Interview with Farah Saleh on MEMO

By: Naima Morelli

18-03-2022

English, Interview, Middle East, Published

Farah Saleh in What My Body Can/t Remember (2019) © Chris Scott , courtesy of the artist

Where does a refugee find her homeland? Perhaps in unexpected places; a memory of the country might emerge through the most mundane gestures, or even from a simple interaction with certain objects.

I spoke about this subject with Palestinian dancer Farah Saleh for Middle East Monitor. Farah is preparing a new interactive live performance installation called PAST-inuous for the upcoming Dance International Glasgow.

Here is the link to the piece

Published: Beirut artists and nonconformance for Al-Monitor

By: Naima Morelli

14-03-2022

English, Interview, Middle East, Published, Research

For my new piece for Al-Monitor I speak with a comic book artist and a photographer/editor about the queer community in Lebanon – and in Beirut specifically – and how it has changed over time.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Artist Giacomo Zaganelli at the Thailand Biennale on Plural Art Mag

By: Naima Morelli

25-02-2022

English, Interview, Published, Thailand

Plural Art Mag has just published my interview with Italian artist Giacomo Zaganelli, who has created a project called Somset Art Centre for the second edition of the Thai Biennale, held in Korat.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Diana Al-Hadid on Middle East Monitor

By: Naima Morelli

15-02-2022

English, Essay, Middle East

Musing around the work of an artist who draws her inspiration from multiple, diverse sources is always extremely enjoyable for me – especially if the artist’s references encounter my own, in a high-brow, low-brow dialogue.

In this piece I wrote about the outstanding work of Syrian-American artist Diana Al-Hadid, and read it in the light of both Buddhist philosophy and the Foo Fighters.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! My three-hour-long busking career on Global Comment

By: Naima Morelli

10-02-2022

Australia, Essay, Italy, Published

“When the day was over, we sat on a bench carved in stone, watching the clouds turn pink and the sea purple. We chatted about everything, from Nietzsche’s Übermensch to that cute waiter trying on me. Being part of Positano’s busking community was paradise, so I figured that in Melbourne it wouldn’t be any different.”

A little story from my personal arsenal, just published by Global Comment. I wish to have the chance to write more stories like this one in the future, alongside the arts writing. It’s really fun!

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Southeast Asian Artists Reframing Mythologies on Cobo

By: Naima Morelli

07-02-2022

Burma, English, Essay, Indonesia, News, Published, Research, Singapore

In Southeast Asia, several artists are looking deep into local traditions and narratives, giving the mythical and historical figures obscured by colonialism, patriarchy, and consumerism, their rightful place.

Their works challenge Western-centric and patriarchal narratives, opening up new interpretations for the viewers. Each artist is bringing forth a different yet very relevant narrative.

I wrote about four of my favourite artists from the region working on these themes for CoBo Social, but truly I’m thinking to write an entire book on the subject, or at least curate a show! In the meantime, here is a taste of it.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Gerald Leow’s Perpetual Motion on Plural Art Mag

By: Naima Morelli

31-01-2022

English, Interview, Published, Singapore, Singapore Series

Can machines create value? And do objects have meaning if there are no humans around to experience them?

These are the questions that Singapore artist Gerald Leow has been grappling with in the past few months. If you’re based in Singapore, you might have seen his latest work while walking by Marina Bay Sands. Called Perpetual Motion, it’s a series of column-like sculptures with reflective surfaces that appear to be in constant dialogue with the skyscrapers on the bay.

I have to say that Gerald is one of my favourite Singaporean artists, and I have been following his work since 2015. Plural Art Mag has just published my article on his new exhibit:

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Ramallah Art Fair for MEE

By: Naima Morelli

27-01-2022

Essay, Middle East, News, Published

Starting Palestine’s first ever art fair during a global pandemic may seem a daunting proposition, but for Ziad Anani and Yusef Hussein, of the Zawyeh Art Gallery, it was a much needed way to bring Palestinians together in testing times.

I reported and wrote the story for Middle East Eye.

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Hani Zurob on MEMO

By: Naima Morelli

26-01-2022

English, Interview, Middle East, Published

My latest piece for Middle East Monitor explores the work of Paris-based Gaza-born artist Hani Zurob.

In his latest series, “ZeftTime” the artist uses tar and broken glass to harrowing effect, as a metaphor for a shattered society. The works seems to suggest that amid tragedy there is no time to think and make up a narrative around what is happening; there is only the absolute presence of the emergency.

“This is the law of time,” Zurob points out. “Every passing moment is a new opportunity for a complete change.”

Here is the link to the piece

Published! Interview with Nada Harib for Al-Monitor

By: Naima Morelli

24-01-2022

English, Essay, Libya, Research

Al-Monitor has just published my interview with Libyan photographer and photojournalist Nada Harib. Her work is all about hope in the face of adversity and beauty in the midst of pain.

With her photographs widely exhibited in and outside Libya, from the Institut du Monde Arabe in France to the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam, Harib’s work tells stories that have been forgotten or repressed during her country’s many turbulent phases.

It’s another step for me and Al-Monitor’s readers to learn more about the culture and humanity of Libya, beyond the news reports.

Here is the link to the interview

Published! June Yadana Bellamy for Plural Art Mag

By: Naima Morelli

10-01-2022

Burma, English, Essay, Italy

If you have any degree of familiarity with the history of politics and royalty in Burma, you will definitely know June Yadana as the daughter of the princess Ma Lat – the direct descendent of the last King of Burma – who later became the wife of the dictator Ne Win.

What is less known is June’s turbulent life across Europe and Asia, where she traversed the most significant moments at the turn of the twentieth century, always animated by a relentless spirit.

I have written about her for Plural Art Mag.

Here is the link to the piece

Naima Morelli

Published! Interview with Dinh Q. Le on CoBo

Published: Interview with Farah Saleh on MEMO

Published: Beirut artists and nonconformance for Al-Monitor

Published! Artist Giacomo Zaganelli at the Thailand Biennale on Plural Art Mag

Published! Diana Al-Hadid on Middle East Monitor

Published! My three-hour-long busking career on Global Comment

Published! Southeast Asian Artists Reframing Mythologies on Cobo

Published! Gerald Leow’s Perpetual Motion on Plural Art Mag

Published! Ramallah Art Fair for MEE

Published! Interview with Hani Zurob on MEMO

Published! Interview with Nada Harib for Al-Monitor

Published! June Yadana Bellamy for Plural Art Mag

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