In September 2016 Paradox launched Studio Aleppo [Amsterdam] in collaboration with Koos Breukel and Issa Touma. Studio Aleppo is a project of pop-up studios, in which residents of a city and refugees who have recently arrived there are invited to have their portrait taken by a prominent photographer. As an act of hospitality and solidarity residents pay for both portraits. Context is provided through short interviews.

The photographs will be gathered in an online portrait gallery, published in newspapers and online media and can be presented in an exhibition. Studio Aleppo focuses on the individual and emphasizes similarities. Through this, the project aims to contribute to a change in the view of refugees.

Based on the successful experience in Amsterdam we created a model that allows any cultural organisation, photographer or enthusiast to organize Studio Aleppo in their own city. Basic requirements: a local portrait photographer, a space for the studio and a production team. Currently we are discussing possibilities in the Netherlands and throughout Europe: Berlin, Essen, Guimaraes and Thessaloniki amongst others.

Interested in organizing Studio Aleppo in your own city? Please get in touch with Agnes Weijers, aw@paradox.nl