Palestinian with his guitar. Studio Shehrazade, Saida, Lebanon, early 1970s. Hashem el Madani 2007

Curator: Akram Zaatari created this image, "Palestinian with his guitar. Studio Shehrazade, Saida, Lebanon, early 1970s." Editor: There's a beautiful melancholy here, wouldn't you say? The guitar, the young man's posture... it all speaks of longing. Curator: It's part of a larger project documenting the work of Studio Shehrazade. Think about the role these studios played, offering a space for self-representation during a turbulent time. Editor: The guitar itself is potent: a symbol of resistance, of cultural identity, of hope amidst displacement. Curator: Exactly. And the act of posing, the conscious construction of identity within the frame, gives agency to the sitter. Editor: The slight smile suggests a quiet defiance. It's more than just a portrait; it's a statement. Curator: Indeed, Zaatari recovers histories, making visible the everyday experiences of Palestinians. Editor: It leaves you pondering the stories behind that gaze. Curator: Precisely, a moment captured, pregnant with meaning.