Overview


At the heart of “Hassan Hajjaj’s Hot Remix” is the Arabic term noss-noss, which translates to half-half. More broadly, the term suggests a mixing. “Hajjaj’s Hot Remix” reveals mixing, both in Hassan Hajjaj’s life and in his art. It describes how Hajjaj immigrated from Morocco to London when he was 12 and drew from his own mixed identity to create art that mixes both media (photography, fashion design, sculpture) and cultures. Writer Juliet Highet argues that Hajjaj’s work is subtly (and often humorously) subversive, and she uses the concept of cultural appropriation to analyze the complicated relationship between the art of the West and the art of Northern Africa. The activities included here focus on the concepts of subversion, irony and cultural appropriation.

15-Minute Activity


Hassan Hajjaj’s art often includes critiques of consumer culture, a way of life (culture) that emphasizes buying things (consuming). Write a statement referring to examples that summarizes what you think Hajjaj is saying about consumer culture in his work.
Common Core Standard Met
CCRA.R.1
Read Closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text. 

30-Minute Activity


Irony refers to expressing meaning by using words or images that are the opposite of what you mean. Explain, either in writing or by speaking, what is ironic in the Hassan Hajjaj’s artwork and test your ability to recognize and explain irony by finding a political cartoon that uses it.
Common Core Standards Met
CCRA.R.1

Read Closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

RH.9-10.8

Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author's claims.

Visual Analysis


Analyze one of Hassan Hajjaj’s artworks, using provided questions to guide you. You can either answer them in writing, or in discussion with a partner.
Common Core Standard Met
CCRA.R.1
Read Closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text. 

 

Supplementary Activity


Choose words/terms from the list to complete the puzzle.