Generation Z
Generation Z challenges the current representation of Zambia and questions the Euro-American photographic representation of the African metropole.
Zambia’s cities grow at a staggering rate, and it is projected that half of Zambia’s rapidly growing population will live in urban centres by 2035. While Zambia is still categorised amongst the poorest countries in the world, its capital Lusaka offers aspirational economic opportunities to its young and ambitious consumer class.
In Generation Z Kerstin Hacker captures the optimism of this growing subsection of Zambia’s population, who are a generation that can generate wealth and spend their income on non-essential goods and services. The series captures the city as it embraces capitalism and the accoutrements of what Europe and the US defines as a middle-class lifestyle.
Kerstin Hacker explores how as a European photographer she has to continuously adapt her creative practice to contribute to an emerging visual record of the dynamism of metropolitan Africa. In Generation Z she re-calibrates her own practice as a photographer and is unlearning historic photographic practices that contribute to the definition of people’s understanding of themselves and how they are seen by others. Generation Z represents this willingness to question one’s own position and allows for new knowledge, new practices, and new understandings to emerge.
Hungry Lion, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Manda Hill Shopping Mall, Lusaka, Zambia, 2017$1,200.00
Supermarket, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Time Out, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Car Wash, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Waiter, Lusaka, Zambia, 2019$1,200.00
Study Break, Lusaka, Zambia, 2017$1,200.00
Sunday Church, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Memorial Service, Lusaka, Zambia, 2019
On the Way Home, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Skate Boarding, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Backstage, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Before the Rush, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Advert, Lusaka, Zambia, 2019$1,200.00
New Builds, Lusaka, Zambia, 2019$1,200.00
A Moment of Rest, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Bodybuilder, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
After the Race, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Ballet Girls, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Urban Youth Event, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Going Home, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
V.I.P. , Lusaka, Zambia, 2019$1,200.00
Wedding, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
On Offer, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00
Birthday Girl, Lusaka, Zambia, 2016$1,200.00