Artist Spotlight | 2050Community

Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness

To pull another hand

into the light

|Jalal al-Din al-Rumi|

MASSOUD AHMED

Imaginings

Massoud was a student at the College of Fine Arts, Department of Painting, in Damascus, Syria when the civil war began in his country. He left his studies and this home and took refuge in a camp in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. His journey through loss and deprivation is reflected in his work, which was a vehicle he used to express this complex human experience. Many of his initial pieces were destroyed by the journey and weather during the first years. Yet, Massoud has continued to find ways and means to paint.

"I discovered my talent in the drawing when I was a child. I have been drawing on school benches and on the walls. One day I drew a drawing on the wall of our house in Syria, everyone liked it, they did not believe that I was the one who drew it! After seeing their admiration, I dreamed of becoming a painter one day.

We are proud to present the first virtual show of Massoud Ahmed, a fine artist from Syria who now lives in a refugee camp in Iraq.

Enter the Exhibit

In the camp, I practice my hobby despite my difficult situation, and I used to teach children how to draw for free. One day, I couldn't buy papers, so I cut a piece of cloth from the tent in which I was living, to draw a painting on it. I worked as a volunteer with an organization in the camp in teaching children and young people how to draw, and then they gave me a small income. I was also working in different jobs to make living for my family.

In 2016 I enrolled in the Erbil College of Fine Arts, Department of Painting, in Iraq. In 2020 I graduated second in my class, and third in the college. Now, I aspire to study masters at a reputable university in a developed country if given the opportunity."

DJ BILL

Interview with DJ Bill from Belo Horizonte, Brazil

How long have you been Djing/ Producing/ throwing parties?

About 12 years, but i´ve been a DJ and a musician for over 20 years.

I like to play underground Brazillian music, Latin, African, Hip Hop, Reggae,

electronic. I try to make a nice compilation to connect with everyone in the spot.

I’m a self-taught musician, was interested in music very early and I’m always looking for something new. Years later, I took free courses in music, then I earned a scholarship from the Foundation of Artistic Education. Now I study music in the State University.

What’s the top 5 songs you are listening non-stop at the moment?

Five Days (Buscrates feat. DJ Epik), Le Bolivia Dub (Toinho Melodia), Só Quer Falar (Matéria Prima), México (Samora Nzinga) and Presença (Hot e Oreia).

What’s your world like with Covid?

Things changed drastically, so I had to fall back and think about all that´s going on, like re-think daily life and work. Habits changed, all around changed along. Financially, mentally and naturally affected the creative process. Had to think on how to act facing all these changes that happened so suddenly and deeply.

The scene is dead. The artists are in their houses, some went back to their hometown because it was impossible to make a living in the city without work. There’s a lot of broke people, a lotta clubs won’t be here anymore after this pandemic ends…there’s a lotta people playing illegally and I think it’s the utmost disrespect and lack of caring for people.

Tell me about JungleClub. What is it?

Jungle Club is the name I chose for a party that plays strictly music from far outside the urban circle. It gives you a deep dive into what’s inside: local rhythms, rare grooves, local rhythms form Latin America, the richness of local African music. I used to research and tried to play it every time, so it ended up with a big repercussion, because it was out of the norm and people were really interested in tunes that weren’t played in the radio.

Tell me about two of your favourite parties or clubs you djed in and why it’s your favourite.

I like the Jungle Club party specially, in which I play underground Brazilian music and local music from many countries, especially from Latin America and Africa; always with one or more guests from my city and from outside. One of my favorite spots is Gruta, a small spot, simple and cozy, in which I played many nights on parties filled with good music and a hot crowd always vibing until the break of dawn…

What is it about Brazil that makes it so open to so much great music?

Brasil has continental proportions. Each state has its culture, way of speaking, and it reflects on the music that is made. It’s filled with history of the native people, the Portuguese colonization of African people brought violently and many other diasporas. And the mix of all of this, both good and bad has a lotta power printed on the lives of the people that has over a 100 musical rhythms.

Tell me a bit about some projects you have going on now and for 2021?

I’m developing works from a distance. Collabs with solo artists and collectives, especially ones connected with vinyl and djing. Magazines, reviews, live streams, video soundtracks, animation and anything else that dialogues with what I do.