Yara Saïd
Biography
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Yara Said is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Amsterdam, with a keen interest in exploring the intersection of sound and its relation to daily encounters, identity politics, and aesthetics of representation. Her practice is characterized by an emphasis on sonic flows, which she uses to open up a political space of imagination that raises questions of political and social nature. In her work, Yara aims to offer a nuanced and caring space of contemplation, foregrounding a femme gaze that challenges the dominant representations of trauma and violence in global narratives.
Yara's current research focuses on documenting noise within urban structures and exploring how certain sonic acts can be used both as terror and liberation mechanisms. Her work is informed by an interest in understanding the ways in which noise is connected to otherness, such as cultural behaviors, ethnicities, and linguistic diversity. Drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources, including industrial noises, the breath of the city, shouts, hugs, death, and (non)linear disrupted narratives, Yara Said's practice is deeply concerned with the emotional, physical and psychological aspects of trauma and grief.
a.k.a. Noise Diva, Yara Said's practice transcends disciplinary boundaries, as she explores sound through a range of mediums, including video, sound, painting, performance, installations, writing, DJing, and music production.
Her work has been recognized through numerous awards and nominations, including the golden design award at the Lyonnes design festival (2017), nomination by the Design Museum for Beazley Designs of the Year (2017), and by European Design (2018) for the refugee Nation flag for Amnesty International. Yara is also the co-founder and artistic director (2018-2021) of SALWA|Amsterdam (The Netherlands), a foundation that develops programs for artists with a migrant background, offering an entry point for emerging artists into the Dutch cultural scene.
Yara Said's practice has been awarded the talent development program - The 3Package Deal - a joint venture by Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunst (AFK) and Bureau Broedplaatsen (BBp) in collaboration with Framer Framed, Waag, Hackers&Designers (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) for the years 2021-2022. Her work has been presented in several significant Dutch platforms, such as Nieuwe Dakota, Stedelijk Museum, and Arti et Amicitiae, among others. Additionally, her work has been exhibited internationally, including at institutions such as MOMA (USA) and the Victoria and Albert Museum (UK), as well as other art spaces in Norway, Germany, and Lebanon. Yara holds a Bachelor's degree in Painting from the University of Damascus (2014 - Syria) and a Master's degree in Fine Arts from Sandberg Instituut (2020 - NL).
Achievments:
As an Amsterdam-based artist, curator, researcher, and activist. Her work spans across various mediums, including painting, design, and multimedia installations. In addition to her artistic endeavors, Yara has also received recognition for her humanitarian efforts.
One of her most notable achievements is the design of the Refugee Nation Flag, which was created in collaboration with refugees across the globe to represent the 10 athletes who made up the first refugee team to compete in the Olympics. The flag features an orange background with a black stripe representing the horizon and has been exhibited in numerous prestigious institutions, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Stedelijk Museum. The project earned Yara and her team 19 Cannes Lions awards, a One Show Best of Show award, and a Grand Prix award from El Ojo, among other honors. Furthermore, the flag has been embraced by athletes, celebrities, politicians, and refugees worldwide, raising awareness and bringing the world together to support refugees.
Yara's humanitarian work has also been recognized by the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, who wrote her a letter thanking her for her Design of the flag. She was also a speaker at the European Design Awards in Norway 2018 and the Turin Design Festival in Italy 2019.
Yara is the founder of the Salwa Foundation, an art project that turned into a foundation aimed at promoting art as a means of empowering refugees and displaced individuals. Under the umbrella of the foundation, Yara curated and took part in numerous exhibitions and events.
Yara's artwork has been exhibited internationally, including in Italy, Beirut, Germany, Brussels, and beyond. Her work is characterized by a bold use of color and a unique perspective on contemporary issues, including identity, displacement, and migration. Her paintings often combine abstract and figurative elements, exploring the complexities of human experience and emotions.
In summary, Yara Said is a highly accomplished artist, curator, and activist who has received numerous awards and recognitions for her artistic and humanitarian endeavors. Her work has been exhibited in prestigious institutions around the world and has helped raise awareness and promote empathy for refugees and displaced individuals.