Over the course of three consecutive years, Hassaan explored the world of toy markets – a hidden, thriving realm built on the trade of poorly made toys. He embarked on extensive journeys through these markets, stretching from southern to northern Egypt.

With meticulous attention, he observed the dynamics of these markets in all their details. For several years, he maintained connections and conducted continuous observations of this overcrowded world, teeming with masses of people interwoven with countless plastic toys, either densely packed or scattered haphazardly across narrow alleys. This microcosm is an extraordinary tapestry of screams and cries from children longing for the brightly colored toys, piled into small, eye-catching hills.

The children’s cries blend with the loud and endlessly repeated calls from the microphones of street vendors. These microphones, playing poorly worded announcements on a loop, sound more like the rasping of strained vocal cords than clear voices.

In close interaction with the street vendors, Hassaan purchases these poorly manufactured toys to use them as illustrated elements in his exhibition paintings. Through this, he creates an intense mix of temptations that aim to stimulate the viewer’s imagination and distant memories. The goal is to evoke the emotions one felt as a child, yearning to own one of these toys.

At the same time, Hassaan addresses how these quickly perishable toys – in the moment of their breakage – turn into sharp edges that leave scars. These scars remain both on the hands that played with them and in the minds haunted by unfulfilled fantasies and dreams.

Fantasies and dreams fall into carefully crafted traps made from everything that is poorly manufactured.