Lawrence Abu Hamdan: The Art Of Listening & Justice [Discover]
Do sounds have the power to shape political landscapes and influence justice? Lawrence Abu Hamdan has dedicated his career to proving they do, transforming the act of listening into a potent force for advocacy and change.
Lawrence Abu Hamdan is a contemporary artist whose work delves into the complex interplay between sound, listening, and their profound political ramifications. Based in Beirut, he operates at the intersection of art, activism, and acoustic investigation, meticulously dissecting the ways in which sound impacts legal, social, and human rights issues. His reputation for meticulously analyzing soundscapes to uncover hidden truths has earned him widespread recognition, including the prestigious 2019 Turner Prize. Abu Hamdan’s art transcends mere aesthetics, becoming a crucial tool for understanding power dynamics and amplifying marginalized voices.
| Category | Information |
| Full Name | Lawrence Abu Hamdan |
| Born | 1985, Amman, Jordan |
| Nationality | Jordanian/British |
| Occupation | Contemporary Artist, Audio Investigator, Researcher, Filmmaker, Activist |
| Education | BA, Middlesex University London (2007) MA, Goldsmiths, University of London (2010) PhD, Goldsmiths, University of London (2016) |
| Known For | Exploring the political effects of listening and sound, acoustic investigations used in legal contexts. |
| Awards | Turner Prize (2019), Nam June Paik Award, Edvard Munch Art Award, International White Swan Art Award (2016), Abraaj Group Art Prize (2018) |
| Based In | Beirut, Lebanon & Dubai, UAE |
| Organization | Earshot.ngo (runs the organization) |
| Notable Exhibitions | Tate Modern, MoMA, 22nd Biennale of Sydney, Earwitness Theatre at Chisenhale |
| Represented by | Maureen Paley (London), mor charpentier (Paris), Sfeir-Semler Gallery (Beirut/Hamburg) |
| Website | lawrenceabuhamdan.com |
Abu Hamdan doesn't merely create art; he meticulously investigates the very fabric of how we perceive and interpret sound. He has over a decade of experience in this field, culminating in a doctorate from the University of London, where he focused on the role of sound in legal investigations and political discourse. This academic rigor informs his artistic practice, allowing him to dissect complex issues with unparalleled precision. He sees himself as a 'private ear,' an advocate for those whose voices are silenced or distorted by powerful entities. He extends his services to individuals and communities affected by state violence, corporate malfeasance, and environmental degradation.
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His commitment to those silenced has led him to investigate a wide range of injustices. He has worked on behalf of people under attack from state authorities, including those affected by the actions of Israeli soldiers in Palestine, the Parisian police, and the horrific conditions of torture in Syrian jails. This dedication to human rights is not just a theme in his work; it is the driving force behind it.
Abu Hamdan's work takes diverse forms, ranging from meticulously crafted forensic reports to captivating lectures and live performances. He also produces films and publications that further disseminate his research and insights. Each medium serves as a platform to reflect on the intricate political and cultural contexts of sound and listening, challenging audiences to reconsider their own auditory experiences and their implications. His practice transcends the traditional boundaries of art, venturing into the realms of law, human rights, and social justice.
A significant portion of his work involves painstaking acoustic investigations. These are not simple recordings, but rather detailed analyses of soundscapes that reveal hidden truths. His expertise has been sought after in legal contexts, with his findings used as evidence at the UK Asylum and Immigration Tribunal. He has also collaborated with organizations such as Amnesty International and Defence for Children International, providing crucial information and advocacy tools. Together with fellow researchers from Forensic Architecture, he leverages the power of sound to challenge injustice and hold powerful actors accountable.
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In 2016, Lawrence Abu Hamdan embarked on an intensive acoustic investigation into Saydnaya, a notorious Syrian military prison located north of Damascus. The prison, shrouded in secrecy and inaccessible to independent monitors and observers, became the focal point of his groundbreaking research. Given that most detainees are held in complete darkness, Abu Hamdan developed "earwitness" interviews, a unique methodology designed to reconstruct the prison's conditions and architectural plans through the accounts of former inmates. These interviews delved into the sonic landscape of Saydnaya, capturing the echoes of suffering, the patterns of abuse, and the psychological impact of a world defined by sound.
Abu Hamdan’s commitment to shedding light on the unseen realities of Saydnaya reflects his broader dedication to exposing human rights violations and amplifying the voices of those who have been silenced. The "earwitness" interviews are more than just recordings; they are meticulously crafted narratives that provide critical insights into the prison's physical and psychological architecture. By focusing on the sense of hearing, Abu Hamdan reveals the profound impact of sound on the detainees' experiences, offering a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. The research gathered from Abu Hamdan’s Saydnaya project has been presented at numerous venues, bringing increased attention to the atrocities committed within the prison's walls.
His solo exhibition, "Earwitness Theatre," at Chisenhale and the video installation "Walled Unwalled" and performance "After SFX" at Tate Modern, London, further showcase his innovative approach to art and investigation. These projects directly evolved from the earwitness interviews conducted with former detainees of Saydnaya, providing audiences with a visceral and immersive experience of the prison's acoustic environment. Through these exhibitions, Abu Hamdan invites viewers to confront the stark realities of torture and imprisonment, urging them to engage with the ethical and political implications of sound as a tool of both oppression and resistance.
Abu Hamdan's artistic practice frequently challenges the established norms of how sound is perceived and utilized within legal frameworks. His work consistently raises critical questions about the reliability of auditory evidence and the potential for misinterpretation. He explores how phonetic policies influence the acceptance or rejection of migrant asylum applications in various European countries, demonstrating how subtle variations in pronunciation can have life-altering consequences. In September 2012, he even held a meeting in Utrecht to discuss this controversial topic, engaging with experts and stakeholders to address the ethical dilemmas surrounding phonetic analysis in immigration law.
Lawrence Abu Hamdan’s commitment to challenging injustice extends beyond the realm of art and academia. He is an independent investigator, a “private ear” dedicated to listening to, with, and on behalf of those affected by corporate, state, and environmental violence. His work is a potent reminder that listening is not a passive act, but rather a crucial form of engagement that can lead to profound social and political change. He is a voice for the voiceless, a champion for human rights, and a visionary artist whose work inspires us to listen more carefully to the world around us.
Abu Hamdan's artistic contributions have garnered significant recognition within the art world. He received the Nam June Paik Award and the Edvard Munch Art Award, accolades that celebrate his innovative and impactful work. In 2019, he was awarded the prestigious Turner Prize, solidifying his position as one of the leading contemporary artists of our time. These awards are not merely tokens of appreciation; they are a testament to the power of his work to challenge conventional thinking and inspire meaningful dialogue about the pressing issues of our age.
His investigations focus on sound and linguistics and have been used as evidence at the UK asylum and immigration tribunal and as advocacy for organizations such as amnesty international and defence for children international together with fellow researchers from forensic architecture. In his work, he investigates the use of audio and voice within the law and human rights. Lawrence Abu Hamdan, air pressure (a diary of the sky) (2022). Courtesy the artist and fondazione sandretto re rebaudengo.
Furthermore, his practice is deeply rooted in meticulous research. This research serves as the foundation for his artistic creations and is regularly showcased in various exhibitions and presentations. Abu Hamdan’s work seamlessly blends artistic expression with rigorous investigation, providing audiences with a multifaceted understanding of the complex relationship between sound, power, and justice. He is not simply an artist; he is a researcher, a filmmaker, an activist, and above all, a dedicated listener who amplifies the voices of the marginalized and challenges the status quo.
Lawrence Abu Hamdan was born in 1985 in Amman, Jordan. He currently lives and works in Dubai, UAE, and Beirut. His work has been presented at the 22nd Biennale of Sydney. Some of his notable works include Walled Unwalled and Other Monologues and How Video Transformed the World. Lawrence Abu Hamdan has been nominated for his solo exhibition earwitness theatre at chisenhale, and the video installation walled unwalled and performance after sfx at tate modern, london.
In September 2012, Abu Hamdan held a meeting in utrecht to discuss a controversial topic, the phonetic policies that govern the acceptance or rejection of migrant asylum applications in different european countries. In 2016, artist lawrence abu hamdan began an acoustic investigation into sayndaya, a syrian military prison north of damascus.
(205 × 267 cm) and takeaway printed a4 sheets on a shelf in september 2012, abu hamdan held a meeting in utrecht to discuss a controversial topic: The freedom of speech itself.
Lawrence abu hamdan, air pressure (a diary of the sky) (2022). Research gathered from abu hamdan’s work, which is due to be shown at \u52b3\u4f26\u65af\u00b7\u963f\u5e03\u00b7\u54c8\u59c6\u4e39\uff08lawrence abu hamdan\uff09\uff0c\u7537\uff0c1985\u5e74\u51fa\u751f\u4e8e\u7ea6\u65e6amman\u3002\u4ed6\u662f\u4e00\u540d\u58f0\u97f3\u9274\u8bc6\u4e13\u5bb6\uff0c\u540c\u65f6\u4e5f\u662f\u4e00\u540d\u827a\u672f\u5bb6\uff0c\u76ee\u524d\u751f\u6d3b\u548c\u5de5\u4f5c\u5728\u9ece\u5df4\u5ae9\u8d1d\u9c81\u7279\u548c\u82f1\u56fd\u4f26\u6566\uff0c\u4ee3\u8868\u4f5c\u54c1\u6709\u300arubber coated steel \u300b\u300a\u5730\u7403\u8981\u585e\uff1a\u7b2c\u4e00\u9636\u6bb5\u300b\u7b49\u30022016\u5e74\u83b7\u5f97\u56fd\u9645\u767d\u5357\u51c6\u827a\u672f\u5956\uff1b2018\u5e74\u83b7\u5f97abraaj group\u827a\u672f\u5956\uff1b 2019\u5e74\u5206\u522b\u83b7\u5f97 Lawrence abu hamdan, the 'private ear', has over a decade of experience investigating audio and a doctorate from the university of london on the role of sound in legal investigations.
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