Art as Resistance
HOW A COINCIDENCE CHANGED SALMAN ABDO´S CAREER
Most of Salmans work-life was marked by the necessity to sustain his life. After a serendipitous meeting at a fair, his look out changed. Salman learned about the privilege of saying “No”.
Salman Abdo (he/they) sat down in his chair, hunching over the screen at the high-tech-filled desk.
“Let’s edit something!”, he says.
Picking a file, he immediately started adjusting the volume on the audio interface. Then he scrolled with breakneck speed through snippets of footage on the browser of Adobe Premier. A mélange of bass and melodic sound filled the studio of In-Haus e.V. Media. It gave a sneak peak into one of many media projects the Creative Director is working on.
The soundproof studio, which Salman spends most of his time in, is designed for professional creative media work. The acoustic foam on the walls triggers an immediate recalibration of the sense of hearing. Combining the new awareness of senses with the equipment standing around. The room is the perfect starting point for creativity and focus.
Over the last years, Salman Abdo has worked on powerful media content. Putting marginalised voices in the center within German pro-democracy and anti-racist discourses. He sees himself as one of those voices, understanding xenophobia’s stigmatising impact on the underrepresented.
Salmans media-savvy persona and the organisation’s community outreach form a creative antidote. Attempting to overcome a struggle of the many unheard. Thus becoming a part of today’s discourse regardless of the background.
From Syria, to the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Turkey, and currently Germany, Salman continuously developed their professional and personal skill set: Among them project management graphic and sound design, shaping and conceptualising a variety of media work.
How did Salman get into the production scene?
Salman´s first contact with media production was when he was 12 years old, in Damascus. By going on film sets with a member of his family he earned some money. This seems to have caused a positive effect on them since they specialised in media production. He completed an internship accelerating in video production, sound design, further expanding his technical knowledge.
As we heard him talking, the question came up: How did you progress?
“I learned by doing.”
A straightforward answer which implies years of effort.
The joy in creative work became Salmans' drive. Listening to him it became noticeable that not only serendipity marked their path. It's their character and willingness that made a difference. Leading their life with curiosity and openness, Salman empowered himself to get where they are today.
On a casual day in 2016 Salman went to an opening event of a library in Cologne. He got into a conversation with a woman who asked him to develop a logo. Looking back it seemed as if this was the greatest coincidence of his life.
“I didn't need to justify my existence.”
During his conversation with Elizaveta Khan, Salman introduced himself as a graphic designer. The simplicity of it all was enough to be offered a job opportunity.
He was enough.
What was a coincidental encounter unveiled itself to bring many more freelance opportunities. Elizaveta Khan turned out to be the Managing Director of In-Haus e.V. With time Khan realised a need for more media work at In-Haus e.V.. The sporadic commissions turned into something steady. Ultimately developing his freelance avocations into a full-time job. Salman started creating media work for an organisation he could identify with.
Currently, Salman fights for what he believes in. Contributing with media production to something he personally stands by. He is creating and developing media content in a safer space. It is now possible for him to experience a balance between public relations and media work.
Salman not only mixes art and resistance in his work.
He embodies art and resistance by experimenting on many levels.
Upon Salmans' arrival in Germany they worked for renowned News Networks such as WDR and Deutsche Welle. Despite his professional experiences his skill-set was not met with enough acknowledgement by other organisations. At least not in the same way as people from a eurocentric, western educational background. This disadvantage affected his career opportunities and life. He was forced to seize all offers that came his way.
Recurring yeses without contemplation marked his portfolio.
Not only as an Art Director but as a person. Creative work became a means of survival, to sustain his well-being.
The privilege to say no was granted to him through the full-time position at In-Haus e.V., allowing him to assess how his job can correspond with his values. With the security, both financially and personally, Salman learned to firmly say “No.”
During the years working for In-Haus e.V., they received an array of possibilities. Which materialises as the ability to work on what aligns with them.
Getting to know Salman helps in understanding what it takes to enable a person to grow. And how an open and accepting community can support a person to develop. Throughout the interview they show themselves as a self-reflecting and critical thinker.
In-Haus’ Motto: "A place for everybody to be at" unfolds itself in a depth that is inspiring to witness.
In-Haus e.V. dedicates its work on three levels: locally, cooperatively and structurally. The organisation offers different services such as legal consultation and placemaking. They hold safer spaces for vulnerable communities. As well as offer empowerment work for BIPOCs (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) and LGBTQIA+ Members.
The philosophy of In-Haus e.V. exemplifies that empowerment work is important and necessary. It shows the depth of the meaning behind contribution through mere existence. Salman gives this privilege back by allowing it to flow into his artistic work. By stepping into the space as himself, his work becomes of service for all. It allows peers to be inspired to strive to be their true selves, in work and life.
The themes that In-Haus e.V. engages with come to fruition by acknowledging the intersections of life. Bringing light and attention to marginalised groups showed itself to be empowering. A sense of self-identification unfolded within Salman.
Empowered to contribute and participate in placemaking, Salman becomes a co-designer of society. One thriving from creativity and the inclusion of diversity.
A future society he dreams to see for his child one day.
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