The Magic of Reality: An Alternative History of Photography

This workshop, led by lens-based artist Nabil Azab, considers and questions some of the more undiscovered histories associated with photographic archives and mass media events, and their potential effect on the surrealistic nature of the photographic ambition.

Often using an array of photographic archives as a starting point for abstract photographic works, the artist will dive into this process and source material further, as well as consider the broader implication that these images have on the history of the medium, and the perception of images in contemporary media.

Participants will explore how abstraction in photography can serve as a tool to deconstruct and reinterpret historical narratives, challenging conventional visual representations. By engaging with abstraction, the workshop will encourage participants to look beyond the literal and delve into the emotional, symbolic, and conceptual layers of photographic imagery. This approach not only alters the way we perceive photographs but also questions the very nature of reality as depicted through the lens.

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Nabil Azab is a lens based artist, researcher, and writer. His work has been exhibited widely across North America and is represented by Franz Kaka Gallery in Toronto, Ontario. His work considers archival material as a source material for abstracted photographic works, and writing. He is currently an MFA candidate at The University of California - Riverside.  

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Image Credit: detail of Untitled (Open Channel), 2022, Archival inkjet print mounted on dibond, 49 x 40 in (124.5 x 101.6 cm)

Host or Publisher Gallery 44 Centre for Contemporary Photography