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Hassan Hajjaj + Acid Arab. My Rock Stars

Photo : Hassan Hajjaj, 2019/1440 Part of My Rockstars series Courtesy of Tierra Whack, Vogue Us, 193 Gallery, Paris & Hassan Hajjaj Studio

Oct 13 – Apr 25

Hassan Hajjaj + Acid Arab. My Rock Stars

Step into a vibrant collision of global pop aesthetics and deep-rooted musical heritage through this daring portrait showcase. Inspired by the crossroads of Morocco and London, the exhibition turns its subjects into defiant rock stars amidst a kaleidoscope of reclaimed patterns and sounds. You will leave buzzing from the pulse of these rhythmic, visual explorations.

Philharmonie de Paris (Paris 19th)

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About

The My Rock Stars exhibition at the Philharmonie de Paris showcases the diverse work of artist Hassan Hajjaj, blending photography, design, and fashion. Through vibrant portraits inspired by both Gnawa traditions and pop culture, the artist explores diasporic identities and the power of music. The experience is enhanced by an original sonic creation by the group Acid Arab, bridging ancestral rhythms with contemporary electronic sounds. The exhibition is open from September 30, 2026, to April 25, 2027, with ticket prices ranging from 0 to 8 euros. Bookings for this event will be available starting in September 2026.

From Larache to London

After a childhood in the Moroccan city of Larache, Hassan Hajjaj grew up in London in the 1980s, in the heart of a protest-driven, multicultural effervescence punctuated by reggae, dub, and hip-hop. From this culture of collage and remix, he draws an uninhibited approach to fashion, design, and photography, which he learned as an autodidact. In the manner of Malian photographers Malick Sidibé and Seydou Keïta, he poses his friends, whom he has sometimes taken care to dress, in front of colorful backgrounds. Revealing the artist's personal archives and approach, the My Rock Stars exhibition recounts Hassan Hajjaj's diasporic journey, using music as a vector for communication and emotion.

Gnawa Connection

Starting in the 1990s, Hassan Hajjaj began working with the Gnawa community by immortalizing its oldest masters. Born from the meeting of African, Arab, and Amazigh heritages, Gnawa culture is an ancestral spiritual and musical tradition, now rehabilitated as a symbol of diversity and cultural resistance in Morocco. The powerful energy of the Gnawa master musicians continues to irrigate his work. Through photography, he makes them figures of a counter-culture, contrary to any folklorization.

The image factory: Andy Wahlou

Nicknamed "Andy Wahlou" by his friend Rachid Taha, in tribute to Andy Warhol, in a play on the word of Amazigh origin walou (nothing at all), Hassan Hajjaj blurs clichés in a collision between African culture of reclamation and pop culture of repurposing consumer society objects. The construction of the frame of his photographs is a game with traditional architectural elements, notably the mashrabiya. Hassan Hajjaj has developed a real protocol in the preparation of his "Rock Stars": glasses, socks, hats, accessories, but also custom-made clothes. The photo shoots, often taken in natural light, are generally accompanied by real musical concerts, like a festive ritual session. The hanging extends into the permanent collection, where objects and works by Hassan Hajjaj collide with the Museum's instruments in a joyfully irreverent approach.

Sound and visual synergies

A pioneer of Oriental electro in France, the group Acid Arab designed original music to accompany the exhibition and extend its energy. Mixing ancestral rhythms, techno pulses, punk, disco, and rap energy, their sound creation celebrates the musical heritages of North Africa and the Middle East.

Our take on this event

The Philharmonie de Paris hosts My Rock Stars, an exploration of the artistic world of Hassan Hajjaj. Influenced by the multicultural landscape of 1980s London, the self-taught artist blends photography with fashion design and found objects. His distinct approach, characterized by meticulously framed portraits in natural light, echoes the work of Malick Sidibé while incorporating traditional architectural elements like the moucharabieh. His creative process, often compared to ritualistic festive sessions, frequently involves bespoke clothing and accessories.

The exhibition highlights Hajjaj’s deep connection to Gnawa culture, portraying its masters as icons of resistance and diversity. This visual journey is complemented by a unique sound design from the electronic music group Acid Arab, who fuse traditional North African and Middle Eastern rhythms with techno and punk energy. The interaction between visual art and sound extends into the museum's permanent collection, where Hajjaj’s works engage directly with historical instruments.

Visitors can attend the exhibition from September 30, 2026, to April 25, 2027. Opening hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12:00 to 18:00, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00. Tickets are priced between 0 and 8 euros, with reservations opening in September 2026.

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