Middle East Archive is a creative archive that retrieves lost memories from the Middle East and Maghreb. With a vivid curatorial eye, it attempts to bring forward everyday memories that immerse one within the locally lived cultures. With particular attention to candid moments, banal interactions and simplicity, it brings forward the essence of MENA.
With photography as its principle medium, MEA collaborates with photographers and leads a rebirth to their archival collections. Thanks to a diversity of styles, perspectives, subject matters and a multitude of creatives that contribute to bringing this vision to life, MEA has space to constantly flourish in its times.
The archive’s practice goes beyond recollecting images as it adds life to what is portrayed as conflictual and inherently political. Through mixed media forms, and by excavating the web, MEA doesn’t limit itself to traditional and old documentations of the region, but explores a multitude of contemporary expressions, bringing the focus to where it should be. This digital collecting process is a new media from of archiving, making accessible already exciting artifacts that have been lost in time.
Sunbathers of Beirut: the photographs celebrating everyday life in the Middle East
The Guardian – November 2021
Office Magazine – October 2021
A photographic celebration of love in the Middle East
Huck Magazine – March 2023
The Instagram Account Showcasing The Diverse Beauty Of The Middle East
Something Curated – December 2020
Middle East Archive Announces First Book Release
Mille World – September 2021
Showcasing an overlooked side of a vintage Middle East
MisFit – February 2021
Positive Instagram accounts reminding us about the good of scrolling
Kulture Hub – August 2021
The Middle East Archive – on the power of Images
Inbetweencollecitve – June 2021
Curator: Romaisa Baddar
Editors: Nour Regaya & Dalia Al-Dujaili
Book design: Omar Houssrey
Arabic translator: Mourad Nusair
Founder & Curator: Romaisa Baddar
Editor: Julia Bohan Morliere
Book design: Daleen Saah
Illustrations & poster designs: Omar Houssrey
2nd Editor: Yasmine Mattousi
3rd Editor: Adam Beach
Arabic translator: Mourad Nusair
Editor Arabic translation: Malak Al Harahsheh
Photos book: Romy Brandsma and Otman Qrita
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