Hocine: photographing survivors as political act
Algerian photographer Hocine, recognized for his 1997 photograph 'Madonna of Benthala,' which was taken following a massacre near Algiers, emphasizes his dedication to capturing the lives of survivors. He initiated his street photography journey in 1971, paving the way for his career in photojournalism. Utilizing a reflex camera equipped with a 20-35mm lens, he produces what he describes as 'stolen photos of lonely people.' Following the worldwide release of the Madonna image, the subject pursued legal action for image rights, and Hocine faced allegations of collaborating with Western media against President Liamine Zéroual's administration, resulting in persistent surveillance. He critiques Western voyeurism and the political ramifications of depicting survivors' faces, asserting that Western media disseminate GIA propaganda, affecting national 'concorde' under Bouteflika and seeking to rehabilitate the FIS and GIA. Pascal Convert conducted the interview.
Key facts
- Hocine is an Algerian photographer known for the 1997 'Madonna of Benthala' image.
- The photograph was taken after a massacre of over 400 people in the suburbs of Algiers.
- Hocine chooses to photograph only survivors.
- He began street photography in 1971.
- He uses a reflex camera with a 20-35mm lens and works close to subjects.
- The subject of the Madonna image sued for image rights.
- Hocine was accused of collusion with Western media to destabilize the regime of Liamine Zéroual.
- He has been under constant surveillance since the publication of the image.
- Hocine criticizes Western voyeurism as politically motivated.
- He states that showing faces in Algeria is a political gesture, especially survivors.
- He mentions a mural 30 km from Algiers depicting the death of Mohammed in Gaza.
- He claims Western media propagate GIA propaganda and images of army involvement in massacres.
- He argues this is part of a process to achieve national 'concorde' under Bouteflika and rehabilitate the FIS and GIA.
- The interview was conducted by Pascal Convert.
- Images from a report by Algerian journalist Faouzia Fekiri titled 'Le Glaive et le croissant' were cited.
Entities
Artists
- Hocine
- Pascal Convert
- Faouzia Fekiri
Institutions
- artpress
- France 3
Locations
- Algeria
- Algiers
- Benthala
- Gaza Strip
Sources
- artpress —