



Cold Summer
“Cold Summer” is a collaborative project that brings together dance and photography in an evocative exploration of the human experience. Set against the backdrop of a rooftop in Amman, this summer dance improvisation forms a key element of visual artist Hiba Nabulsi’s ongoing photography project, “Cold Summer.” Nabulsi, a visual artist, cinematographer, and photographer, is known for her work that often addresses stigmatized subjects like mental health and gender. Through this project, she invites the audience to engage with these themes in a raw and intimate setting, challenging perceptions and creating a space for reflection.
The “Cold Summer” project is a fusion of dance and photography, where the rooftop of Amman becomes a stage for improvisation. The dancers, moving in response to the environment and the energy of the city, embody the tension and beauty of a summer that feels emotionally cold. This improvisation is captured through Nabulsi’s lens, creating a visual narrative that speaks to the complexities of human emotion and the often overlooked struggles surrounding mental health and gender.
Nabulsi’s work in “Cold Summer” draws from real-life experiences of isolation, resilience, and the quest for identity. The project aims to capture the essence of these struggles, using the stark and open rooftop as a metaphor for vulnerability and exposure. Through her photography, Nabulsi seeks to contest boundaries, inviting the viewer to step into the story and become part of the narrative.
Themes
– Mental Health and Gender: A focus on the often neglected and stigmatized aspects of human experience, particularly mental health and gender.
– Improvisation and Spontaneity: The dancers’ movements are unscripted, reflecting the unpredictability and fluidity of life.
– Vulnerability and Exposure: The rooftop setting symbolizes openness and the emotional exposure that comes with confronting personal and societal challenges.
– Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The project is a blend of dance and photography, creating a dialogue between visual and performing arts.
Artistic Approach
In “Cold Summer,” the improvisational nature of the dance allows Hadi and performer Anas Nahleh to respond organically to their surroundings and the energy of the moment. Nabulsi’s photography captures these fleeting moments of expression, freezing them in time to create a narrative that is both dynamic and introspective. The project challenges traditional boundaries between the observer and the observed, encouraging the viewer to become an active participant in the story being told.
“Cold Summer” is a poignant exploration of the human condition, seen through the lens of dance and photography. By bringing together these two art forms on a rooftop in Amman, the project creates a powerful commentary on mental health, gender, and the complexities of life. It invites the audience to engage with the work on a deeper level, becoming part of the narrative and reflecting on their own experiences within the context of the story.
Date:
August 10, 2024