Mounir Raji - Essaouria, Manta, 2017

From the series Dreamland
Inkjet print on Hahnemühle Photorag Pearl paper
Image size: 42 x 30 cm
Edition of 10 + 2AP
Signed and numbered on a seperate certificate

Courtesy Galerie Caroline O'Breen, Amsterdam

About the work
This work is part of the famous and successful series Dreamland by photographer Mounir Raji. For a period of five years (2017-2022), Raji spent much of his time traveling around Morocco in the areas rarely visited by tourists. The outcome of this investigation is a deeply personal narrative woven from Raji's impressions of his motherland. 
Fascinated by daily life and photographing his family as well as strangers, Raji creates a nostalgic view of Morocco reminiscent of his youth. The work, on the one hand, is idealisation, and on the other hand, it’s an insight into the everyday. The vivid colours of landscapes, the soft use of light and the embrace of the blazing sun resemble a dream world or an idyllic memory. However, amidst this dream-like imagery, Raji captures the essence of ordinary street life, the cityscape in the middle of the desert, and the surrounding nature. In juxtaposing idealisation with everyday moments, Dreamland becomes an exploration of this dual perspective. 

About the photographer
Mounir Raji (1984, NL) is a Dutch-Moroccan photographer, image-maker and researcher. In addition to commercial assignments for clients like Adidas, Atelier Munro, Daily Paper, Elle Magazine, G-Star, Mastoor, Van Moof and Vogue Magazine, he also makes work that has been shown at The Rijksmuseum and Kunstmuseum Den Haag. His first photo book 'Dreamland' was published in 2023, in which he pays tribute to Morocco.

A new body of work by Raji is on show at Mercatorplein, Amsterdam until 7 November. This series Home by Mounir Raji is a heartfelt ode to Amsterdam-West, specifically the Kolenkitbuurt and the Admiralenbuurt, and above all to the people who bring them to life. The exhibition takes place across two locations: Mercatorplein and MAQAM, both in Amsterdam. The exhibition at MAQAM is on display until 30 January, and only open on appointment. 

About buying this print
This print has a small white border around all sides. For a framer this border is necessary to be able to frame it properly. The print will be carefully wrapped and send as an insured package. You'll receive a tracking code once your order is dispatched. A framed version is often on view at Foam Editions, located on the third floor of Foam Fotografiemuseum.

For questions or more information, contact Foam Editions:
T. +31 (0)20 551 6500
E. editions@foam.org