Gaza is 45 km long and at its narrowest only 5 km wide. For these three young residents, parkour is their form of resistance. They practice it every day, in all the sites that were bombed in 2006 and 2012. Many times even during attacks they go out and keep practicing. Bright, talented, and full of potential, they’re studying accounting at university. Their dream is to travel and see what it’s like outside Gaza, because they’ve never left. Every time I meet them they fill my heart with joy, and at the same time I feel a bit angry and frustrated, because I think, why are they trapped in here?
A Most Graceful Form of Resistance
- January 17, 2014
- 8 comments
- 1 minute read
Sami Haven
Sami Haven was born in Amman, Jordan, in 1987. His mother is originally from Yabroud, Syria, and his father is English born in the Caribbean. He grew up in his grandmother's house in Jabal al-wehbdeh, in the heart of Amman. In 2003 Sami moved to Al-Saru, on the outskirts of Amman, where he studied graphic design at Al Ahliyya University, graduating with the highest grades of his class. In 2005 he moved to Rome, Italy, where he did his masters in Photography. Sami worked with the world's most famous photographers like Steven Klein and Oliviero Toscani, along with many others. His works have been included in the Biennale of Venice directed by Kazuyo Sejima, Paris-Photo, and also in Tokio. After working in various editions of X-FACTOR Italia - making video clips for the contestants - in theatre with Fendi, and in the high fashion industry, Sami felt there was something missing, and so he decided to go to Gaza, Palestine, because it is an example of resistance and humanity, and to try and contrast the image constructed by the Western media that serves only the powerful. Today Sami is co-funder and part of an on growing conceptual group called Jasmine. A group united through passion against fear, a smell that's to spread out from the Mediterranean like a virus, to contaminate the world with Love, and heal from indifference. All can be part, and all shall be armed: Culture, Art, Music and Sport shall be our weapons of mass construction.
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8 comments
Belles photos pleines d’espoirs ,de fraîcheurs et de jeunesse qui résiste à cet arrière plan de douleur et d’emprisonnement .ce sont des oiseaux qui volent vers la liberté .
Merci. Oui, ils sont vraiment des oiseaux qui volent vers la liberté, parce que la liberté se trouve dans de leurs coeurs!
HABIBI SAMI> YOU HAVE DONE, WHAT OUR GENERATION, FAILED BADLY TO ACHIEVE. MAY ALLAH BE WITH YOU
dear Sami, what a poetic and STRONG stance these young men have taken, your presence with the camera lifts their committed vision into our sight, thank you for sharing ***
Absolument genial!
Great job,proud of you and your talented way of struggle.
Sami, when I think about it you probably came to this world at least a couple of generations ahead of your time. Few shared your vision and motivation, sadly because others who could were reluctant into doing so. Maybe now you are in a better place appreciated and celebrate the great result of your art work in almost daily basis. I am certain your eternal dwelling is heaven.