Ali Berrada, One day we will leave together

Interview: Ali Berrada

Moroccan photographer Ali Berrada talks with Luca Curci about art and Pixels of Identities – Istanbul.

Co-founder of his life, travel lover especially when it’s an inner quest. Photographer, sometimes writer, walking across the globe to see how small he is.

Ali Berrada, Full moon party

Luca Curci – Your work has just been exhibited during Pixels of Identities in Istanbul: can you talk about your personal experience in Istanbul with International ArtExpo?

Ali Berrada – The experience was great, meeting these artists from all around the world was really rewarding. It’s not common and easy to be part of something like this, the gallery is also amazing, the people running this exhibit were so helpful. Everything went well. Plus Istanbul is an incredible city, art is everywhere there.

Ali Berrada, Lost in our discussions

L. C. – Can you talk about the artwork you presented in Istanbul? How is it linked with the festival’s theme?

A. B. – The work showcased was “Lost in my dreams” it’s a photo series I’ve been working on for years now. Trying to make common habits look a bit different without using any post-processing software. The photos describe situations in every day life but seen in a different way, something that the spectator won’t expect despite the cultural and social differences. It was clearly linked to the theme where exploring the various and divergent identities is the main topic.

L. C. – What are you currently working on?

A. B. – I’m currently working a completely different series, more focusing on the feelings of people, it’s more intimate and emotional. I like to take my time, and see how its evolving, so i don’t know when I will release it.

Ali Berrada, The one

L. C. – What is art for you?

A. B. – I don’t have any clear answer, for me this question is as hard as this one : What is life for you ? But what I’m sure about, is that art, is definitely useful to break some rules, spread messages in a way that medias cannot actually do. And I deeply think that art can be used by and for everyone, just like said the Poet Rumi “Inside you, there is an artist you don’t know about…”

L. C. – Do you think International ArtExpo organization can represent an opportunity for artists?

A. B. – Didn’t know about ArtExpo organization before the exhibition and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised, it was perfect from the beginning to the end. They are giving the chance for emerging artists to show their work in amazing galleries and musuems. Without any doubt it’s a real opportunity, it helps artists to gain visibility and promote their art through exhibitions, magazines and so on.