Exploring Nazanin Hafez's Spectators at Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam
As a cornerstone of the contemporary photography scene, Foam Fotografiemuseum Amsterdam continues to champion emerging global voices through its biannual talents initiative. Now in its 17th cycle, the Foam Talent Programme spotlights 15 exceptional image-makers addressing pressing themes of home, identity, and political precarity. Among these notable artists is Iranian-German visual practitioner Nazanin Hafez, whose compelling series Spectators offers a profound reflection on state violence, memory, and artistic resistance.
Why Spectators Matters to Contemporary Photography Audiences in Amsterdam
At first glance, Nazanin Hafez’s work presents vibrant, surreal compositions—collages featuring floating architectural fragments, silhouettes, and oversized structures. Yet, a closer look reveals a powerful commentary on the reality of public executions staged as spectacles in Iran. Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, these public actions have been used by the regime as tools of control and deterrence.
Rather than reproducing graphic depictions of brutality, Hafez makes a deliberate ethical choice to avoid showing the acts themselves. Out of respect for the victims and their families, she opts for abstraction and suggestion. Using images sourced from Iranian news agencies, online platforms, and her own childhood recollections, she crafts analog photo collages, video installations, and abstract color works that slowly unfold their meaning to the viewer.
This conceptual restraint extends to her audio work as well. Her 2014 sound installation, 9 Minutes and 16 Seconds, abstracts audio originally recorded on a mobile phone during a public execution in Karaj, transforming a harrowing real-world event into a surreal, haunting sonic landscape.
Understanding Nazanin Hafez’s Creative Practice
Nazanin Hafez works across photography, video, collage, and installation to investigate systemic power structures, censorship, and the subtle ways violence permeates daily life. Based between Germany and Iran, her practice has earned significant institutional recognition, including the 2024 Documentary Photography Grant from the Wüstenrot Foundation and the 2026 Residency Prize at Schloss Balmoral. Her work is also represented in the permanent photographic collection of the Museum Folkwang in Essen, Germany.
Through her contributions to the talent showcase, Hafez urges viewers to remain observant and preserve the memory of those impacted by systemic oppression. Her project is featured alongside extensive analysis by visual anthropologist Cathrine Bublatzky in the physical publication of the portfolio. To explore her full series alongside other visionary artists, you can purchase a copy of Foam Magazine #68.
Whether you are a local resident or a traveler seeking thought-provoking contemporary art, experiencing the rotating showcases at Foam offers deep insight into the global issues shaping modern photography. To coordinate your visit or find similar exhibitions across the city, let Musemap (musemap.art) help you browse museums or navigate the city's cultural scene using our interactive map view.
