SLAPP

Don't be deceived by the witty humor and clever visuals in Laila Abd Elrazaq’s videos. Her primary source of inspiration is the potential for technology to be wielded as a tool of oppression. Laila presents two compelling videos that deal with the daily struggles of the people of Mount Zion and with how technology can be used as a tool of toxic control.

In "SLAPP," Laila adopts the format of an infomercial reminiscent of 1980s shopping channels. Despite its brevity, this video satirically dissects the concept of SLAPPsuits, encouraging viewers to craft their own interpretations of patriotism. It introduces an object designed to supplant human violence rooted in political differences, all while shedding light on the intricate socio-political dynamics surrounding property ownership and the resulting conflicts. The focus here is on uncovering the potential risks and consequences of expressing one's opinions on these matters.

Text by Yara Kassem Mahajena

–

Laila Abd Elrazaq (b.1999) is a Visual Artist, completed her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with honors (2021), and her Master’s degree (MFA) at the University of Haifa (2023). She also recently obtained her Teaching Certificate in Fine Arts from Beit Berl College (2024).

Her body of work focuses on Video-Art, Performance-Art, Sound-Art, and sometimes Digital-Art. The works are often centered around themes such as self-research, gender identity, and confronting traditional ideologies within the Arab community through video essays. She has showcased her artistry in several exhibitions both nationally and internationally (Haifa, Jerusalem, Umm El-Fahem, Cyprus, New York, South Korea and London). She’s a recipient of multiple scholarships and awards like the AICF Scholarship, Scholarship for Excellence in final BA project named after the late Prof. Uri Katzenstien, and Young Artist Prize named after the late Walid Abu Shakra.

Laila fosters a collaborative spirit and got to work on a couple of projects with her video and sound works along with other artists, she plans on continuing to do more collaborations in the future.