in PARIS, The Day befor the Ban...

"Always moving forward"...

... is a survey of recent work produced by artists from various regions in Africa, responding to emerging technologies, transitioning landscapes, rampant globalization and the forces of capitalism - including the influence of advertising. These artists are linked by a sensibility that has evolved as an intuitive response to the persistent pressure of our media-saturated society. Their new expressions are important developments in the art of image-making and together create a powerful dialogue.

At the Gallery 44, toronto - May 1 to May 29

Curated by Kenneth Montague, featuring:

MOHAMED BOUROUISSA

MOHAMED CAMARA

CALVIN DONDO

SAMUEL FOSSO

HASSAN HAJJAJ
BOUCHRA KHALILI

ANTONY KIMANI

LEBOHANG MASHILOANE

AïDA MULUNEH

DAWIT L. PETROS
ZWELETHU MTHETHWA

GUY TILLIM

ANDREW TSHABANGU

NONTSIKELELO ‘LOLO’ VELEKO

Double Exposure in Arise Magazine

Editorial project in collaboration with: Nana Oforiatta-Ayim

Featuring: Kyei Boateng, Majda El Bour, Samson Soboye, Nathaniel Habtemariame Ghebretinsaye, Vanessa Mulangala,

Fashion Ma Rocks

Hassan's friends: Majda Elbour, Kamal Laftimi, and Yvonne Heinemann are organizing a fundraising party, to support school life, and local womens' entreprises from the Atlas Mountains.
Fully supporting the cause, Hassan will contribute by providing his iconic "Le Salon" back-drop.
The singer Oum, the DJs: Vivian Vota, Yvonne, Jean-Marie DELBES aka DJ Jim, David Blot, L'ora, and the designer Amine Bendriouch will be part of it.

Please come along:

Friday 19th February 2010 - 8pm-3am
The Islington Metal Works
Torrens Street
London, EC1V 1NQ

Hassan and the Black Magic

Last summer Hassan impetuously met Jose James, and very casually the 2 Artists got along. Realising they have common friends. Hassan invites Jose on his pop-up studio on Rochelle's school roof, (just like Hindi Zhara)...

...and Hassan' s shot made Jose's cover.
Jose James is releasing "BlackMagic" on the 1st of Feb 2010. We played it over and over here at the Studio and we love its soulfulness. A needed euphonic comfort, suave and jazzy to get us through the winter!

Hassan is most commonly in Larache...

... Larache is Hassan's shop, office, and salon.

It's in London, Shoreditch, 30-32 Calvert Avenue, E2 7JP, across the road from Leila's shop where Jack masters coffee making, right next to Rochelle school where Hassan likes to shoot, not far away from our adored leather goods maker and showroom Ally Capellino. It is splendidly located at the foot of the magnificent and mythical Arnold Circus...

Larche is also where Hassan was born, on the North Atlantic side of Morocco.

" a l' arrache" in familiar French is "widely", or "roughly", does it ring a bell?

How ever you are the most welcome to come and visit us, or our local friends!

“1430 in CASA”

Hassan is the one launching Matisse Art Gallery in Casablanca.
Nabil EL MALLOUKI and Youssef FALAKY the owners of the Marrakesh based gallery have edited a deliciously witty bunch of pictures.
“1430 in CASA” is a visual celebration of Hassan’s Morocco, and Hassan’s friends.
Youssef Adel, Amina Annabi, Hindi Zahra, Marwan, Said, Saida, the Henna Girls from Jamaa al-Fna … are just some friends, or accountancies who have collaborated with Hassan. Being musicians, choreographers, artists, or craft-men and women, they are all the more essential in Hassan’s attempt to capture the share attitudes and expression.


"We Love Morocco" 2007/1427 (111,8 x 76,2 cm)

Through this selection of new and old work you are invited to share Hassan’s cheerful vision, discovering bridged cultures and generation.



Private view on the 20th Nov, from 7pm.
The exhibition goes on till the 5th Dec 2009

Matisse Art Gallery - N°2 rue du 6 octobre, (ex rue de la convention), Anfa, Casablanca.

1430 as the Islamic year for 2009. And CASA as home, or Casablanca!

There it is...

... From the shoot in London.
This beautifull picture has been picked to to cover that Beautifull Tango...

Photo: Hassan Hajjaj
Font-Logo: Marc Borgers

Once, by hazard...

Once Marques Toliver met Samson Soboye by hazard, once Marques was visiting his new friend on Calvert avenue, he then met Hassan by hazard too. Once Marques was introduced to the crew who organized the party for Spike Lee, and a few times he played for some of us that night!
And once Marques played for us at Larache (Hassan's shop), and today here it is on youtube

Hassan is in Marrakesh...

Probably busy eating some peanuts with his new friends... But mainly he went there to shoot Zahra!

From their previous shoots in London/Shoreditch (b&w), and Paris @ Andy Whaloo.