Akkasah is a photo archive at NYU Abu Dhabi that is dedicated to exploring the histories and contemporary practices of photography in the Middle East and North Africa. This year, Akkasah revealed 12 digitised photo albums and prints from its collections.
The albums feature more than 1,500 photos from across the region; they date from the 1890s to the 1960s. One has the opportunity to have a look at pictures captured in Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Iraq. Among these historic photographs are such rare ones as the photograph of the Baba Gurgur (which means Father of Fires) drilling site in Kirkuk (Northern Iraq). Taken not long after its discovery, the photo depicts the first oil gusher that spouted in October 1927. The list of published photos also includes images illustrating peace protests during the Abadan Crisis (Iran Oil Crisis) in 1951 and a travelogue of a naturalist in which they documented their trip to Algeria in 1902.
It was Jasmine Soliman and Emily Broad who researched and catalogued the images. Soliman is Collections Management Archivist at the Akkasah Photography Archive; she has been working in archives and libraries since 2013. Soliman strives to create archives and collections that are inclusive and accessible to all in their design and function. Advocating open access to collections, she encourages the public to explore archives. Emily Broad is a photographer who has graduated from NYUAD. Interested in studying the history of photography, she also works for the Akkasah Center for Photography.
Speaking about the Center’s work, Soliman said that their special model of building collections enables them to develop such a diverse archive. “We [collaborate] with individuals and families who want their collections to be digitally archived and shared on [our website] […]. Over 2, 800 of the images […] online are a result of ‘digitise and return’ collaborations.”
About the Akkasah Photography Archive
Akkasah houses an ever-growing archive of the Arab world’s photo heritage as well as of the neighbouring regions. Akkasah documents and preserves the various histories and practices of photography from the region. Presently, their archival collections include 35, 000+ images; more than 12, 900 of these pictures are online now. Akkasah’s archive welcomes scholars, students, and anyone interested in exploring it, however, you should make an appointment for a visit.
Akkasah is one of two projects of al Mawrid, the Arab Center for the Study of Art. The Centre is devoted to researching the history of the visual arts in the Arab world. Its second project is Haraka: Experimental Lab for Arab Art and Social Thought. Taking the intellectual life of the region as a starting point, it delves into alternative modes of knowledge production about its societies and history.
To learn more about Akkasah, please visit its official website.
You might also be interested in visiting the Once Upon a Time Museum in Dubai.
