Art hall to showcase photography exhibit of former Rotterdam mayor Aboutaleb

The Kunsthal in Rotterdam will open a photo exhibition about departing mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb on September 7. The exhibition consists of photos made by Salih Kiliç, who followed the port city's mayor for two years, from 2018 until the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

The exhibition is not large, but over 30 photos give a "multifaceted and intimate look into the working life" of Aboutaleb, said the art hall. "From the early morning to deep in the night, on the street, in the council chamber, and at many meetings and events in front of and behind the screens," Kiliç was permitted to be everywhere the mayor was for two years.

The mayor can be seen in all kinds of circumstances, not only with a chain of office but also, for example, almost unrecognizable with a winter hat and windbreaker on the road with a local police officer.

Salih Kiliç, born in The Hague to Turkish-Kurdish and Limburg roots, was inspired to follow the mayor after he saw Pete Souza do the same. Souza followed Barack Obama during his presidency of the United States, the Kunsthal added.

Aboutaleb will leave his post as mayor of Rotterdam on October 1 and be replaced by Carola Schouten.