Eman ALI

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Eman ALI

Participating Project	Research Residency Program
Activity Based	Manama, Bahrain / Muscat, Oman
City / Place stayed	Tokyo
Period	2024.9 - 2024.11

Purpose of the residency

I’m joining this research residency to nurture my growth as a visual storyteller. Immersing myself in a new culture feels like a beautiful way to find fresh inspiration and connect more deeply with my work, exploring new ideas, techniques, and approaches. I’m hoping this experience will open up new avenues for creativity and help me see the world, and my art, in a new and exciting light.

Plan during the residency

During the residency, I’m excited to explore traditional Japanese mythology and delve into its stories and symbols to understand their connection to universal human experiences. Japan’s deep cultural and historical bond with the sea fascinates me, and I’m keen to experiment with new ways of creating images based on this research. I’m also looking to blend these ancient myths with the personal stories of contemporary Japanese youth, creating a visual narrative that connects the past with the present.

Activities during the residency

During my research residency at Tokyo Arts and Space, I explored the streets of Tokyo and I found myself naturally gravitating toward the quiet in-between spaces that exist just beyond the city’s relentless rhythm.
Footbridges, empty arcades at dawn, the shadows of temples - these places felt like they were holding their breath, suspended between connection and solitude, tradition and modernity. Inspired by Japanese mythology and Jun'ichirō Tanizaki’s In Praise of Shadows, I focused on photographing strangers who challenge traditional notions of Japanese identity – whether through being half Japanese, defying conventional ideas of self, or questioning established gender roles - capturing them in moments where time seemed to stretch.
Although the imagery was inspired by the nonlinear narratives of Japanese mythology, my goal was to bring these stories into the present by focusing on today’s youth. I aimed to create a quieter, more intimate portrait of Tokyoites, stepping away from the bright lights and noise that, as an outsider, often define the city’s representation.
Back in the darkroom, I worked slowly, hand-printing the images and layering them with handwritten fragments from the participants - personal responses that revealed glimpses of their inner lives. I reimagined the traditional Japanese folding screen (byōbu) as a way to present the work, letting text and image unfold together like a quiet dialogue.
The project reflects on the pauses within life’s rhythm, inviting viewers to linger in the spaces between movement and stillness. 

Outcome of the residency

The residency allowed me to deepen my understanding of Japanese culture and mythology while refining my photographic practice. One of my most rewarding accomplishments was building connections with complete strangers in a remarkably short time and collaborating with them to create this intimate series. Many of the individuals I photographed expressed feeling seen and heard, which, as an artist, is what I strive to achieve. These meaningful connections have sparked new ideas and directions for future projects centered on themes of identity, intimacy and the concept of liminality.
The residency allowed me to deepen my understanding of Japanese culture and mythology while refining my photographic practice. One of my most rewarding accomplishments was building connections with complete strangers in a remarkably short time and collaborating with them to create this intimate series. Many of the individuals I photographed expressed feeling seen and heard, which, as an artist, is what I strive to achieve. These meaningful connections have sparked new ideas and directions for future projects centered on themes of identity, intimacy and the concept of liminality.
The residency allowed me to deepen my understanding of Japanese culture and mythology while refining my photographic practice. One of my most rewarding accomplishments was building connections with complete strangers in a remarkably short time and collaborating with them to create this intimate series. Many of the individuals I photographed expressed feeling seen and heard, which, as an artist, is what I strive to achieve. These meaningful connections have sparked new ideas and directions for future projects centered on themes of identity, intimacy and the concept of liminality.
The residency allowed me to deepen my understanding of Japanese culture and mythology while refining my photographic practice. One of my most rewarding accomplishments was building connections with complete strangers in a remarkably short time and collaborating with them to create this intimate series. Many of the individuals I photographed expressed feeling seen and heard, which, as an artist, is what I strive to achieve. These meaningful connections have sparked new ideas and directions for future projects centered on themes of identity, intimacy and the concept of liminality.
The residency allowed me to deepen my understanding of Japanese culture and mythology while refining my photographic practice. One of my most rewarding accomplishments was building connections with complete strangers in a remarkably short time and collaborating with them to create this intimate series. Many of the individuals I photographed expressed feeling seen and heard, which, as an artist, is what I strive to achieve. These meaningful connections have sparked new ideas and directions for future projects centered on themes of identity, intimacy and the concept of liminality.

Creator Information