The time as a Docker was very helpful in taking the project forward. I came to Amsterdam confused about what was missing and which direction to take in order to finish my work. Set up with a busy schedule of expert meetings—plus the luxury of an abundance of eye candy and inspiration in terms of museums, exhibitions and human encounters all around me—the residency turned into a super inspirational and productive time. It inspired me to move forward with the work and led me to understand better where it should go, and the result I wish for.
- Loulou d’Aki
Docker #29
Loulou d’Aki
Friend or foe and the Eastern sea so green
Loulou d’Aki used to play outside with her grandmother and her sister. Each time the sound of an airplane was heard high above their roof, her grandmother would turn her face up and shout: “The Russians are coming!”. As a child, Loulou never quite understood why her grandmother would think that the airplane flying over their quiet suburb on a Saturday morning would actually be a Russian one, but the playing stopped for a moment and she realized that her childhood was much different from her grandmother’s.
Friend or Foe and the Eastern Sea so green is a photographic project inspired by Loulou’s grandmother's fear of her childhood Russia. It is based on her grandmother’s personal memories, on historical facts, and on current theories and speculations regarding how Russia might invade Sweden in the future. In recent years Loulou has seen a growing paranoia in Sweden about a possible Russian invasion, triggered by the events in Crimea in 2014. Conspiracy theories and general discussions about Russia go back a long way in Sweden, but the last few years, the subject has been increasingly present in the public debate. Commander in Chief Sverker Göransson recently affirmed that if there were a war, Sweden would be able to hold its territory for one week. With no defense to speak of and as a non-member of NATO, Sweden would stand practically by itself, relying on Finland alone for possible help.
In her project, Loulou investigates historical facts dating back to the seventeenth century when Sweden was still a great power, to the Winter War and to the more recent Cold War. She balances history and current events based on individuals’ thoughts, theories and fears in society today with her grandmother’s subjective memories.
Who? Loulou d’Aki
From: Sweden
Docking December 5 - December 24 2019
Working on: Friend or foe and the Eastern sea so green
About: How does memories affect our fears?
Loulou d’Aki is a Swedish photographer, born and raised on the southern seaside. She is interested in how human beings are affected by the society in which they live, the influence of borders and the idea of freedom.
Alongside commissioned work, she focuses on long term projects which turn into exhibitions and books. Loulou was a singer before she became a photographer. She speaks Swedish, English, Italian, French and gets by in German and Hebrew.
Middle Eastern based from 2010 - 2015, Loulou d’Aki is currently based in Athens, Greece and works all around the world.
Her clients include New York Times, National Geographic, Le Monde, M. le Magazine du Monde, Bloomberg Businessweek, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, TOPIC, D. la Repubblica, Internazionale, La Repubblica, TIME, Dagens Nyheter, and UNICEF.
ambassador
Clement Saccomani
Managing Director - NOOR photo agency
Loulou d’Aki’s work is an amazing poetic journey at the crossroads of luck and light, with a sweet feeling of heat. Her project Friend or Foe and the Eastern Sea so Green is a welcoming, intimate trip between generations, and a poetic approach to identity, fear, borders and countries. Loulou’s vision of and for our humanity is warm and captures the audience with a deep respect. With her work, Loulou offers us a unique perspective from the reality in Sweden. This project is not only good—it is also an important one, and it is an honour for me to be her Docking Ambassador.