Aby Fulani

Louis Vuitton Jeff Koons Rubens Bag, 2020

"Had I been blessed with even limited access to my own mind there would have been no reason to write. I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means. What I want and what I fear."

Contemporary Floral Arrangement - #144551 (1967) #2 The Relationship is a Matter of Style, 2023

"He told me if we had everything we need, we wouldn’t need language to ask for anything."

"I’m talking about the New Woman, and a pattern which was invisible to the subjects when they lived it."

Doll Index 1, 1779-1950, 2022

Doll Index 2, 1733-1950, 2022

"I’m only doing it if it makes me feel good. Which may include buying things."

"I just want the new. I want you to be new to me and me to be new to you."

Sahara from SSENSE.com 1-2-3, 2023

Western Costume Jacket (Cheerleader), Skirt (Cheerleader) Showgirl (Bra Top, Long Fringe), 2023

Pamela as Pamela, 2023

"Turn your face toward the past future. But don’t get too nostalgic about it."

Ideal House, 2023

"Yes, I’m looking for a short-cut through the complexity and conditions of the historicity of my own age."

Tracy in Camo, 2023

Liz Johnson Artur - of life of love of sex of movement of hope, 2021

Images about images: the work of Sara Cwynar

Dialect, 2020

Image from the series Arrival

Image from the series Tell the trees to smile

Image from the series Where I was Born

Image from the series Italia o Italia

Image from the series Tupamaras Technophallus

Image from the series Dairy Character

Image from the series Except the clouds

Image from the series Trans Human Nature

Image from the series Evidence

Image from the series Mr & Mrs Das

Image from the series Dialect

Image from the series Escaping the Heatwave

Image from the series Languor

Image from the series Hidden

Mom (detail), 2016

Felipe Romero Beltrán wins FPHA 2023

Mardin, September 2020 

The recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have left an enormous number of people, families, and communities in urgent need of assistance. Given Foam’s longstanding collaboration with Turkish artists, institutions and communities through the ongoing Kısmet project, we are committed to supporting those affected by these devastating events. We therefore support the 'Pictures for Purpose' print sale fundraiser, featuring works by 39 artists with proceeds going to two volunteer organisations working locally: AHBAP and White Helmets. We spoke to artist Olgaç Bozalp (Foam Talent and part of Kısmet) about his contribution to the fundraiser. 

Antakya, August 2022

Repose (studio accidents), 2023

Untitled, from the series Turunç, 2018 

Encounter, 2017 

What_s ours, 2019

Untitled, 2023

My son and father, Sweden, 2022

Untitled

Novembre Flowers, 2022 

Untitled, 2020

Pictures for Purpose

Though almost half a century has passed since the Franco Dictatorship (1939-1975) ended in Spain, the wounds this period left behind are very much open. Young imagemakers, born after the death of Francisco Franco, address this complicated collective past in their work. In this article, we explore the topic through the work of three contemporary artists. One of them is Bebe Blanco Agterberg, whose work was exhibited in Foam 3H.  

from the series a mal tiempo buena cara

from the series A mal tiempo, buena cara

I was taught that photography is inherent with truth. A picture could be constructed, but it could not lie. When I start learning to take pictures something about this perception changed. (...)  I started to see all
the gaps where manipulation in and around
the image could appear and how this could
effect people’s memories. 

The Spanish flag on a flag pole, torn in half, from the series Nadar y Guardar la Ropa (2010 - ongoing) 

The Spanish flag above a massage center, hung from a balcony together with laundry, from the series Nadar y Guardar la Ropa (2010 - ongoing)

The Spanish flag as a curtain in front of a door window, from the series Nadar y Guardar la Ropa (2010 - ongoing) 

The Spanish flag covering a satellite dish on a brick balcony, from the series Nadar y Guardar la Ropa (2010 - ongoing) 

from the series Todo (2021 - 2022)

Link Room Spain Under Franco

First Swim after Rebirth, 2018. Image from the series Inner Journey, 2014–ongoing.

Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation—official partner of Foam Talent—has selected the work of Marvel Harris (part of Foam Talent 2022) to add to their collection.
Foam spoke with Anne-Marie Beckmann, Director of the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation about the collection, the selection process of a new acquisition and how the foundation supports photographic talent.

Inward, 2022. Image from the series Inner Journey, 2014–ongoing.

Trust, 2018. Image from the series Inner Journey, 2014–ongoing.

Untitled (Tear), 2016. Image from the series Inner Journey, 2014–ongoing.

In My Skin, 2021. Image from the series Inner Journey, 2014–ongoing.

Stillness, 2022. Image from the series Inner Journey, 2014–ongoing.

Sensible, 2017. Image from the series Inner Journey, 2014–ongoing.

Hope, 2019. Image from the series Inner Journey, 2014–ongoing.

Hiding the Unwanted, 2018. Image from the series Inner Journey, 2014–ongoing. 

Marvel Harris Deutsche Börse

Cover image: Sunil and Sulbha Dhiwar, with Tanmay, Tejasvi, Sourabh, Prachi and Vivek from the Goody family archive, 2002. Image from the series Eat with Great Delight

You are what you eat! Food is not only a basic need, it is deeply intertwined with most aspects of our lives — as individuals and communities. Foam Magazine #63: FOOD! The Nourishing Issue looks at what we are made of, focusing on the ways food drives us apart, brings us together and moves us further — all at the same time.

Image from the series Produtos de Genocídio © Paulo Nazareth, courtesy of the artist

Image from the series Milkteeth and ladybirds © Maisie Cousins, courtesy of the artist

Varkens Innovatie Centrum (VIC) Sterksel, August 2012, 301 Lavatory © Henk Wildschut, courtesy of the artist

Nothing to Lose VII (Bodies of Experience), 1989 © Rotimi Fani-Kayode, courtesy Autograph, London

Image from the series Asia Bistro © Hiên Hoàng, courtesy of the artist

Image from the series Cooking Potato Stories © Ana Núñez Rodríguez, courtesy of the artist

Selecting the cover for Foam Magazine #63: FOOD! Left: the original version of the cover image including poem, as it appears in Foam Magazine #63. Right: 'behind-the-scenes' at Foam Magazine.

Foam Magazine #63: FOOD! The Nourishing Issue, 2023

Introducing Foam Magazine #63 FOOD!

Becoming a Ghost. Meeting Moment

Together with artist Giath Taha, curator Mirjam Kooiman parachuted onto a deserted island inside the online video game PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) for a unique in-game encounter. Whilst strolling around the virtual landscape, they discuss the motivations and meanings behind Taha's photographic exploration of this digital space.

A game within a Game - in conversation with Giath Taha

watch the conversation here

Maybe my eyes turned blue, 2021

A Game Within a Game

Young Kids enjoying their first photography workshop ‘Dark Moon’ Torbali, Izmir 2022

This story starts in 2002, when photographer Ahmet Polat (Studio Polat) met Mustafa Olpak in Izmir, Turkey. At the time, Olpak – an Afro-Turkish writer and activist – was tracing the history of enslaved Africans who were brought over to work in the open fields of Izmir in Western Turkey during the 19th century, but whose stories were never included in Turkish school books. He reached out to others who shared his Afro-Turkish ancestry, seeking to recollect their stories, to reconnect them with their past. Many of them lost touch with their ancestors’ heritage as they swiftly adapted to the demands of the young Turkish Republic. This eventually led Olpak to establish the African’s Culture and Solidarity Society (‘Dernek’) in 2006.

The Coffee Reading: Tales of the Afro-Turkish diaspora

watch the visual podcast here

Watch The Coffee Reading:

‘The Afro Turkish community has a unique family archive. We’ve been collecting photos and connecting people through it. The role of photography is very important how we celebrate and how we look at the future.

Ahmet Polat during a photography workshop in Turkey

Ahmet Sezer being photographed by his son Ahmet, Dark Moon - Tales of the Afro Turkish Diaspora 2005 - 2022

Galerie Mercatorplein: Ahmet Polat – Dark Moon: Tales of the Afro-Turkish Diaspora, 2022

The Coffee Reading: Tales of the Afro Turkish Diaspora

Image from the series Being Part European, riso print, 42 x 58,4 cm

Foam and Paris Photo present a brand-new series of Foam Talks, this time featured around the latest issue of Foam Magazine M/OTHERLANDS. The topic or guiding question will be the political power of images. How do they shape not only our understanding but also our opinion of the world? 

Each of the episodes welcomes a guest speaker that will be in conversation with Elisa Medde, Editor in Chief of Foam Magazine. Paris Photo will be running from the 10th until the 13th of November. The latest Foam Magazine called M/OTHERLANDS: The Transnational Issue can be found in the book section.

Foam Talks x Paris Photo - Sarker Protick & AnaMary Bilbao

Podcast

Image from the series abzgram

Cover image: Untitled / After Courbet (L’origine du monde), 2004. Colour photograph, 46x55cm. Photograph: David Rych.

Discover more in Foam Magazine

Paris Photo x Foam Talks 2022

Liz Johnson Artur - of life of love of sex of movement of hope © Foam. Photo: Christian van der Kooy.⁠

Opening Liz Johnson Artur & Foam 3H 

How to look at a photograph? 

One possible answer can be found in the performances by theatre collective LostProject—a multidisciplinary storytelling collective from Amsterdam Zuid-Oost. Four creative makers each respond in their own unique performative way to the works of Liz Johnson Artur.

Dance Performance by LostProjects

Screenshot of spoken word performance LostWords by Lavinia Aronson

Dialogue performance LostWords by Ryan Pinas and Georgiefa Boomdijk

Ways of Responding: Performance Art

Counter-Surveillance: H2 by Artists + Allies x Hebron (AHH)

Are we able to navigate the complex, and possibly denser than ever, intersection between identity politics and identitarian movements in today’s Europe? Are the images we are creating, producing and disseminating able to actually say something about us, our sense of belonging, and our chances to access the possibility of We?

Image from the series No System 

Image from the series |.|.| 2022

Ana love you more than my life, 2021

Visual culture and photography in particular have contributed enormously to the shaping of our ideas around identity and belonging, who we are, and what is defined as 'We'.

Introducing Foam Magazine #62 motherlands

Coinciding with the commencement of the annual olive harvest, we co-stream ‘Counter-Surveillance: H2’, a community-based project in the city of Hebron, Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). The olive tree symbolizes the resilience of the Palestinian people in their ongoing resistance to live under Israeli military oppression. In line with Israeli’s surveillance effort, Artist + Allies x Hebron has created a counter offense by placing surveillance cameras in Palestinian owned olive groves.

Still from Counter-Surveillance H2

Counter-Surveillance: H2

‘Counter-Surveillance’ seeks through its installation of custom-made surveillance cameras throughout Palestinian-owned olive groves, to co-opt this same technology but with a radically different purpose – by live broadcasting the images to various sites across the world, the electronic gaze does not seek to control, punish, or instill fear. Rather, it is an attempt at a community-building strategy that spans the globe, where individuals and organisations of conscience across the planet can keep a vigilant eye on these precious trees, some of which are over 900years old. It is an opportunity to demonstrate solidarity by ensuring that these courageous residents and their heroic acts are not only surveilled but also seen.

Today we learned of an article in Het Parool about Foam. It quotes a study commissioned by the board in 2020 on the culture and structure of the organization. The article also describes events that allegedly have taken place since the report with limited attention to the current situation at Foam. We can imagine that the article has an impact on employees, former employees, sponsors, visitors and other stakeholders at Foam. We deeply regret this.

Response Foam Board to Het Parool

Michael, Michael at home, Portland, Oregon, USA, May, 2015

Who has the power to decide which photographers get particular resources and opportunities? What are the ethical dilemmas around commissions and assignments? We highlight a few industry resources that provide practical advice for photographers who are trying to navigate the territory between their own practice and the media industry at large.

Archive of Public Protests

In Practice: Resources for Photographers

Untitled, from the series Your next step would be to do the Transmission, 2018

How do we help? Surrounding current events and conflict in and around Eastern Europe, Foam stands with all that are oppressed, including artists and workers in visual culture throughout the region. We've gathered a list of resources and initiatives that are making strides to support through arts and humanitarian need.

Ukraine Resources

Ka 2phisi yaka e pinky II, 2013, Her Story series

Re shapa setepe sa lenyalo II, 2013, Her Story series C Lebohang Kganye

Lebohang Kganye’s (SA) work utilises the photographic medium to narrate and imagine a new history. Her work was chosen by a jury of five industry specialists out of around 100 nominees. The Foam Paul Huf Award is presented annually to an upcoming photography talent to encourage photographers in their artistic development.

Reflecting on personal narratives, memory, family, loss, displacement and dislocation while questioning photography’s indexicality as a marker of truth, Lebohang Kganye’s work impressed us for its clarity of vision, complexity and ambition.

Ke bapala seyalemoya bosiu ka naeterese I, 2013, Her Story series

Ke le motle ka bulumase le bodisi II, 2013, Her Story series

Ke monahano ke ntse ke le pating II, 2013, Her Story series

Kwana Germiston bosiu I, 2013, Her Story series

Ngwana o tshwana le dinaledi I, 2013, Her Story series

Setupung sa kwana hae II, 2013, Her Story series

Ka mose wa malomo kwana 44 II, 2013, Her Story series

You couldnt stop the train in time, 2018, Tell Tale series

Helens father grazing his goats, 2018, Tell Tale series

I recognise how the stories are centred on healing. I am grateful that the healing is not just for me.

Lebohang Kganye wins Foam Paul Huf Award 2022

Paintings, Dreams and Love

The 20 artists selected for Foam Magazine's Talent Issue look closely at the world around us, and the one within - without shying away from discomfort or pain.

The Act of Sitting

New Western Views

Tell the Trees to Smile

Le Grand Voyage – Version Courte

Languor

Marble Ass

To Destroy Is To Build

Words from Dad

There Is Nothing New Under the Sun/See Daylight

Inner Journey

WAH’A

Maryam, 2020, Leave and Let Us Go

Shame Less A Protest Against Sexual Violence

Home/Leaving One for Another

Good Hope

The Martyrs

0N0E

Malign Influences/The Holy Mountains

Woman, who would be King

Announcing Foam Talent 2022

We invited musician and producer Aby Fulani to create a playlist inspired by the works of Liz Johnson Artur. Offering a fresh way to experience the exhibition, music adds new dimensions to the essence of Liz's work, especially while museum doors are closed.

The different rooms were displayed like an assembly of different drummers and percussionists.

Heroínas de Tejucupapo (Tejucupapo Heroins, 2022)

How can art effect change? Foam curator Hinde Haest reflects on the exhibition Staging Resistance, alongside the methods and multiple dynamics within the work of Jonathas de Andrade. By collaborating with local communities, the artist questions the power relations that are at play in his native Brazil, and in the world at large. 

"The main subject of my projects is how human interactions deal with power relations and naturalise the idea of privilege and non-privilege."

ABC da cana (Sugarcane ABC), 2014

Installation of ABC da Cana (Sugarcane ABC, 2014) from Next Level: Jonathas de Andrade - Staging Resistance, 2022

Though photography has been a crucial means of exposing social inequality from the outset, the way De Andrade employs the medium to address such issues is entirely original.

1ª Corrida de Carroças do Centro do Recife / O Levante  (1st Horse-Drawn Cart Race of Downtown Recife/ The Uprising), 2012-201

Pamphlet of 1ª Corrida de Carroças do Centro do Recife / O Levante, 2012 - 2014

1ª Corrida de Carroças do Centro do Recife / O Levante  (1st Horse-Drawn Cart Race of Downtown Recife/ The Uprising), 2012-2014

The Uprising (excerpt)

"The writing of history is about editing. It’s about choosing a way. [...] How the personal stories can rewrite history through the power of images."

Jogos Dirigidos (Directed Games), 2019

Next Level: Jonathas de Andrade - Staging Resistance, 2022

The Power of Play within the work of Jonathas de Andrade

Archives are all around us: in the form of family albums, or the community, city and national archives. Learn more about the latest issue of Foam Magazine

Image from the series Audacity As We Were and Mirages of Dreams Past

Queer Choir Amsterdam, 2021

Image from the series Where We ve Been, Where We re Going Why

Image from the series The day you were born I wasnt born yet

Image from the series Collection of Unjust Enrichment

Image from the series After Hours

Image from the series A Reprise

Woman standing in a gallery

Foam Magazine #59 Histories: The Archival Issue

Out now: Foam Magazine #59 Histories - The Archival Issue

Glasses  - Traces of the Familiar, 2014

Over the coming weeks, we challenge you to create your own captions for the artworks in the museum. What do you see? Get creative and let us know via Instagram.

Opening

Untitled, 2015

Caption This #captionthemuseum

articles

Images about images: reflecting on the works of Sara Cwynar

Felipe Romero Beltrán wins Foam Paul Huf Award 2023

Pictures for Purpose: supporting Turkey & Syria through photography

Link room
Spain under Franco

Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation acquires work by Marvel Harris

Introducing Foam Magazine #63: FOOD! The Nourishing Issue

A Game Within a Game
In Conversation with Giath Taha

The Coffee Reading:
Tales of the Afro Turkish Diaspora

Foam x Paris Photo
Foam Talks: On the Politics of Images

Ways of Responding: Performance Art

Introducing Foam Magazine #62 M/OTHERLANDS - The Transnational Issue

Counter-Surveillance: H2
by Artists + Allies x Hebron (AHH)

Response Foam Board to Het Parool article of 9 December 2022

In Practice: Resources for Photographers on Assignment

Ukraine At Risk: Resources to Support Through Art

Lebohang Kganye wins Foam Paul Huf Award 2022

Announcing the new Foam Talents

Playlist by Aby Fulani: visualising the work of Liz Johnson Artur through sound

The Power of Play
within the work of
Jonathas de Andrade

Foam Magazine #59 Histories – The Archival Issue

Caption This
#captionthemuseum

Out now: Foam Magazine #60 Glyphs – The Image + Text Issue

Bittersweet Fruit: Turunç - Solène Gün

Double Play

Jessica de Abreu's Bookshelf: The Black Archives

articles

Images about images: reflecting on the works of Sara Cwynar

Felipe Romero Beltrán wins Foam Paul Huf Award 2023

Pictures for Purpose: supporting Turkey & Syria through photography

Link roomSpain under Franco

Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation acquires work by Marvel Harris

Introducing Foam Magazine #63: FOOD! The Nourishing Issue

A Game Within a GameIn Conversation with Giath Taha

The Coffee Reading: Tales of the Afro Turkish Diaspora

Foam x Paris PhotoFoam Talks: On the Politics of Images

Ways of Responding: Performance Art

Introducing Foam Magazine #62 M/OTHERLANDS - The Transnational Issue

Counter-Surveillance: H2by Artists + Allies x Hebron (AHH)

Response Foam Board to Het Parool article of 9 December 2022

In Practice: Resources for Photographers on Assignment

Ukraine At Risk: Resources to Support Through Art

Lebohang Kganye wins Foam Paul Huf Award 2022

Announcing the new Foam Talents

Playlist by Aby Fulani: visualising the work of Liz Johnson Artur through sound

The Power of Playwithin the work ofJonathas de Andrade

Foam Magazine #59 Histories – The Archival Issue

Caption This#captionthemuseum

Out now: Foam Magazine #60 Glyphs – The Image + Text Issue

Bittersweet Fruit: Turunç - Solène Gün

Double Play

Jessica de Abreu's Bookshelf: The Black Archives

Link room
Spain under Franco

A Game Within a Game
In Conversation with Giath Taha

The Coffee Reading:
Tales of the Afro Turkish Diaspora

Foam x Paris Photo
Foam Talks: On the Politics of Images

Counter-Surveillance: H2
by Artists + Allies x Hebron (AHH)

The Power of Play
within the work of
Jonathas de Andrade

Caption This
#captionthemuseum