Alaa Hassan

Photographer Filmmaker
   
Assad
Location: NYC | Berlin
Nationality: Syria | US
Biography: Alaa Hassan is a Syrian/American artist and documentarian. He started his photography work in 2006 and later developed an interest in filmmaking and audio-visual art.  Alaa’s work is concerned with the issues of political prosecution,... MORE
Public Story
Assad
Copyright Alaa Hassan 2024
Date of Work Jan 2007 - Nov 2012
Updated May 2019
Location Damascus, Syria
Topics Black and White, Civil Rights, Dictatorship, Documentary, Elections, Oppression, Protests, Revolution


For the continuety of dictatorship, presence in the minds is essential. The Syria of Hafez Assad was covered with statues, posters and signs. When his son became president in 2000 he presented an image of a modest young president. But by the 2007 referendum to renew his presidency, the image of a fully grown lion was complete. 

Assad is Arabic for lion. The lions ruled Syria since November 1970, propaganda became an established feature of the country's visuals. This was reflected in the Syrian uprising as it was directed against the family rule of Assad.

The photos were taken between 2007 and 2012 in Syria, mostly in the capital Damscus.

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Assad by Alaa Hassan
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