Residency - Villa Albertine

Younes Baba-Ali, Without Negotiation I, 2018, Digital print on paper Baryta Rag 315gr with a black American box, 80x120 cm. Courtesy of Selebe Yoon, Dakar.

We are pleased to announce that Younes Baba-Ai will be a fellow at Villa Albertine in New York City from February to April 2024.

During his residency, Younes Baba-Ali will focus his research on the lives, agency, and experiences of street vendors by immersing himself in the streets of New York City and its districts - Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, and New Jersey’s Newark and Patterson. Through an innovative approach using sound, the project aims to uncover the intricate connections between vendors, consumers, and the state, shedding light on the concept of an auditory economy. This expands Baba-Ali’s previous research projects about street vendors - “Vu’Cumprà”, depicting Naples’ scene, and “Without Negotiation”, exploring Dakar.

"In the context of my residency project, I’m excited to explore the auditory economy of street vendors, using sound as a powerful means of communication. Capturing migration narratives and power dynamics in the vibrant streets of New York City, this endeavor aligns seamlessly with my commitment to context-specific works that challenge and engage audiences. I invite viewers to become co-creators in this exploration, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricate relationships between work, life, economy, and sound in our globalized world."

- Younes Baba-Ali, Villa Albertine, 2024