MUSCAT: In a landmark milestone for Omani modern art, photographer Abdulaziz Al Hosni will be the first Omani artist to be included in La Nuit de l'Année (Night of the Year), a prestigious event held during Les Rencontres d'Arles, one of the world's most renowned photography festivals.
The festival has been held every year since 1970 in the historic southern French city of Arles and serves as a worldwide platform for visual storytelling, bringing together artists, critics, and curators from all over the world.
Al Hosni's photographic series, "Qalb Mahmood," was screened on July 12 as part of the open-air showcase that defines La Nuit de l'Année, wowing spectators with its rich cinematic palette and deeply emotional narrative.
"Qalb Mahmood," created by WePresent, the creative arm of WeTransfer, delves into topics of inner contemplation and emotional sincerity. With staged compositions, meaningful symbolism, and vivid hues, the film takes visitors on a personal, yet universally relatable, trip of emotional truth.
The work gained worldwide attention during Al Hosni's solo show at the Melkweg Expo in Amsterdam in November 2024. Its incorporation in Arles not only reinforces its significance, but also broadens its scope: the project has been chosen for the festival's "Best Of" program, which will be shown at the Ancien Collège Mistral from July 14 through the festival's conclusion.
Al Hosni's presence marks a watershed moment, bringing Omani viewpoints to a broader international audience and adding to the emerging narrative of photography from the Arabian Peninsula.
