EXTENDED EYES Abdelhakim ASNABLA

I produced a photo story about a refugee Edgar Alexander, who was detained in a detention centre (Postojna) because he was not granted asylum. After years of living in a country he called home for 6 years, his freedom was taken away. In those 6 years, he learned how to live and love the city of Ljubljana and its people. I stepped in contact with him when he was detained and offered to support him in the only way I could, as a photographer, through photography.

I started by asking Alexander to name three favourite places in Ljubljana. The places were: Asylum Home, farm of horses and Metelkova.

I visited all places in one day instead of Edgar Alexander and was present there in his name. I took photos and sent them to him so he could feel the freedom. So my camera became Edgar's Extended Eyes.

The photo story is a dialogue between Edgar, a person who lost his freedom and me, a photographer who had also experienced, ten years ago, for five months and twelve days, the very same detention centre. Therefore I know very well how it feels to be detained without any misconduct; for Alexander Postojna (detention centre) is the end of his journey in Europe and for me, on the other hand, it was a new beginning of a journey in exile…

An asylum centre might be a new start, but it will never be a permanent home.

Your 6 years-long life in an asylum home meant a life of uncertainty. Six years of stories of asylum failures, deportations of your room-maids and asylum colleagues. Six years of constant attention and expectation to receive your final answer.

Dear Alexander, you told me that this place is your favourite one because of the beauty of nature and horses. Please do not let the fences interrupt your love towards nature.

A simple leash can make a difference between wild and domestic horses. However, losing freedom might appear in different forms.

Move and let the fences behind you. Try to find freedom where ever you go.

Creativity is the only absolute power to stay free and achieve your goals and dreams...

...despite the conditions.

Let's not give the fences more than their volume.. and let nature express itself.

Alexander, let us hope and wish for peace in Ukraine... And hope that our Motherland AFRICA, to where you are returning, will not be starving before that happens.

Appreciate

Credits:

Hakim Asnabla