Light from the Middle East

EXHIBITION: LIGHT FROM THE MIDDLE EAST

I am series in-situ, we need to talk, Jeddah, 2012

http://edgeofarabia.com/artists/manal-al-dowayan

"Each photograph I take is like part of my soul, and I'd like that to out live me."

               (Dowayan, M, A 2008).

Light from the Middle East was one of the exhibition recommended by Julie as a must see.  I decided to visit and see for myself on Sunday 10^th of February.  This exhibition contains work from artist across the Middle East from Africa to Asia who live within the regions.  The exhibition contains a variety of different Photographic techniques, such as Manipulation, Staging and Documentary.

The exhibition is divided into three sections Recording, Reframing and Resisting

The exhibition was interesting and some images stood out to me more than others especially in the Recording section.  The image titled Manal Al-Dowayan, ‘I am an Educator’.  This image was very powerful, as I was immediately drawn to the deep, dark eyes and the Arabic text displayed like a label in front of the subject.  As a black and white image it works well., it captivating.  It is from the series 'I am' 2005-2007

             

In the section Reframing I was once again drawn to the series of portraits in black and white titled Shadi Ghadiran, from the series ‘Qajar’.  I love the way the sitter poses with different items from western culture, but in the same picture making reference to ancient, cultural traditions and how women in Iran deal with it.

                 

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-light-from-the-middle-east-new-photography/about-the-exhibition/

The last section Resisting was unpleasant visually, comical and a surreal overload for me.  This section had the least photographs.

Overall visually the exhibition images had the shock factor, they are controversial, bold, bright, distorted and in your face.  The Artists bravely show the forbidden in their world compared to the western world.  The low intense lighting added to the ambiance of the room space.

I managed to take pictures of the images that moved me, until I received a tap on my shoulder by a guard, pointing out politely “NO PHOTOGRAPHS ALLOWED” due to the copyright of the artist. 

Light from the Middle East did not disappoint.


References

Cummings, L., 2012 Light from the Middle East: New Photography - review. [Online]. Available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2012/dec/09/light-from-middle-east-photography-review (Accessed 20/02/13)

Victoria & Albert Museum (2012-2013) Light from the Middle east New Photography. [Online].  Available at:http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/exhibitions/exhibition-light-from-the-middle-east-new-photography/about-the-exhibition/ (Accessed 20/02/13)

Popham, P., (2012) 'IoS photography review: Light from the Middle East, Victoria & Albert Museum, London' The Independent, 2 December [Online]. Available at:http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/reviews/ios-photography-review-light-from-the-middle-east-victoria--albert-museum-london-8373704.html (Accessed 21/02/13)

Simon, J., (02/02/13) 'Light from the Middle East' Simon J. Blog 2nd february.  Available at: http://simonjenkins.com/blog/list/category/pictures/ ( Accessed 21/02/13)


http://mylens1.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/light-from-middle-east.html