In the exhibition Studio Aleppo [The Hague] at ‘Spuiplein’, 28 inhabitants from The Hague introduce themselves to you. Some of them are newcomers, while others have lived here for a long time. The portraits, taken by renowned photographer Robin de Puy, challenge you to reflect on your judgment about refugees.

Pop-up photography studio with Robin de Puy

Studio Aleppo: Picturing (new) European citizens is a project by Paradox, in which pop-up photography studios are set up in various European cities. In each city, newcomers and ‘established’ residents are invited to have their picture taken by a prominent photographer.

After successful editions in Amsterdam, Helsinki and Berlin, Humanity House was transformed into a pop-up photography studio in September. Here, renowned photographer Robin de Puy photographed fifty residents from The Hague. Watch the making-of video.

Portraits of new and old citizens

The portraits that De Puy took during the pop-up weekend, were already on show in the Humanity House in October. Now you can see (a selection of) the intriguing black and white pictures at the Spuiplein in The Hague. The aim of the exhibition is to stimulate a feeling of recognition and inclusion between old and new residents of The Hague.

“It is funny that most people presume that there are many differences between old residents and refugees. I believe there are more similarities than differences”, says Robin de Puy. “By photographing everyone in the same way, I hope people will recognize each other. Identification leads to more understanding, I think.”

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This exhibition came into being with the support of Programmering Spuiplein and the municipality of The Hague.