Interviewed by Irina Malkova MANY THINK THAT THE CENTER OF MODERN ART MOVES TO THE EAST IN OUR DAYS. BRIGHT VERIFICATION - A YOUNG PHOTO ARTIST FROM AJMAN AMANI AL SHAALI (AMANI ALSHAALI), WHICH NOW YOU CAN SEE AT THE MANARAT AL SAADIYAT EXHIBITION CENTER IN ABU. WE TALKED WITH HER ABOUT HOW WIDE ARE THE POSSIBILITIES OF INTERVENTION IN ART AND WHY ART CAN BE A THERAPY.
Amani, when did you discover your passion for photography?
Amani: Back in 13 years, when I started shooting everything. Then a couple of years ago I was invited to visit the Brooke Shaden workshop in the community of photographers at Gulf Photo Plus, and it was there that I realized that I wanted to do conceptual photography.
Your work is distinguished by originality, softness and depth. They can be intimidating, but at the same time fascinate with their sensuality. What is the main idea you put into them?
Amani: By my works, I want to say that feelings exist in everyone in the entire Universe, and no one is alone. To one degree or another, we all experienced sadness, betrayal, resentment, or loss. I try to show this in my works and convey to people the idea that many have to deal with such emotions.
And for you, photography has become a kind of therapy ...
Amani: I learned to express myself through art, and for me it has become a therapy. Those things that are difficult for me to explain, I convey through my work. This makes me feel better.
Most of your models are women.
They may look disappointed or sad, but nevertheless seem independent and self-confident. Amani: The reason that most of my models are women is that I express something very personal and find myself in my models. I never tried to say anything specifically, for example, about Arab women, because, I repeat, feelings are universal, and all women on the planet can experience disappointment and sadness (as well as a sense of independence and self-confidence).
Gothic motifs and even elements of medieval fairy tales can be traced in your works. I'm right?
Amani: Yes! I am really inspired by Gothic art and medieval aesthetics, for example, stories about the wizard Merlin. I like to realize that I am not clamped by any one time span, and besides, I try to use less “modernity” in my work, which is already enough for everyone. By the way, since childhood I love fairy tales and believe that they contain many truths. Sleeping Beauty, Thumbelina and Little Red Riding Hood - these are all my favorite fairy tales. But the main theme of my work, regardless of the moods present in them (fabulous or medieval), is feelings and emotions. 
You give your photos unusual names. How do you come up with them?
Amani: I always loved poetry, but I never knew how to express my thoughts in words. I could write a couple of sentences, but no more. Therefore, creating images, I convey what I can not express in another way, and giving the names of my works, I put a special meaning into them.
It seems to me that you also have a special relationship with color.
Amani: My favorite color has always been red. I never realized what it meant to me until I started using it in my work. After all, red means vitality and femininity. But I am also attracted by the calm blue and gray tones, because they remind me of winter, my favorite season.
You seem a very open person with a sincere charming smile. Why is there so much sadness in your photos?
Amani: Thank you, good to hear! I think looks can be deceiving. Those who do not know me might think that I am a happy person. I am not saying that I am unhappy, but in life I had to go through various trials. At 19, I was diagnosed with chronic depression and prescribed a bunch of pills. But I began to take pictures, and the world of photography allowed me to free myself from this void inside me. So I became happier. Sometimes it’s still hard for me to get out of bed, but now I know what I'm doing it for.
What kind of music do you listen to while you work?
Amani: I love the sound of a violin or cello, and I prefer songs with a deep meaning, because when I listen to them I feel stronger. But reading the poems of Buddy Wakefield, I feel like I want to be a little better. The verses of Richard Syken allow me to see beauty in tragedy. Fiction provides an opportunity to live someone's life, and then I can invent my own stories for my work.
Do you believe that beauty has the power to save the world?
Amani: This is a wonderful quote from Dostoevsky, I completely agree with her. Indeed, the beauty around us - starting from aesthetics and emotions and ending with kindness and love. I wholeheartedly believe that if people began to give each other more love and kindness, the world would become more beautiful.
