[This is a monthly roundup of articles on photography in the Middle East and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Photography Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in roundups to photos@jadaliyya.com.]
Announcements/Review of Current Exhibits:
Leaving Soon, Photography Exhibit by Myriam Dalal, Ayyam Projects, Beirut, Lebanon
Dalal transforms the gallery space into a site-specific installation that invites viewers to reconsider the ways in which memory can be triggered by the senses while having an impact on new experiences and shaping perception. Runs until 20 March 2015.
What’s Wrong With This Picture, Daily Star (Lebanon)
Review of the exhibit “What’s Wrong With This Picture,” at the Institut des Cultures d’Islam in Paris. Cherchez L’erreur runs until 19 April 2015.
Men at Work: Iranian Workers Taking Photographs, The Guardian
Review of Farideh Sakhaeifar’s photo series in which she allows workers to take their portrait picture themselves in their work environment. Exhibit is open until 15 February at Cathouse FUNeral, 260 Richardson St, Brooklyn, NY. The exhibit at Centre Cultural la Casa Elizade in Barcelona, starts on 4 February.
Egypt:
The Fight for Ramlet Bulaq, Mada Masr Panorama
Mahmoud Khaled documents gentrification in the poor neighborhood of Ramlet Bulaq in Cairo next to new luxurious highrises.
Exploring the Mawlids of Egypt, Time Lightbox
Mosa’ab Elshamy spent over a year photographing mawilds, the celebrations of saints and holy figures of Sufism.
The Story Behind the Photo of Shaimaa al-Sabbagh’s Dying Moments, Time Lightbox
Egyptian photographer Islam Osama talks about his powerful photograph, which has received international attention.
Palestine:
From Cairo to Bethlehem: A Dialog with Samar Hazboun, al. arte. Magazine
Interview with Palestinian photographer Samar Hazboun.
Living Illegally in the West Bank, Al Jazeera In Pictures
A look at the community living at the illegal Israeli settlement of Neve Erez.
In Photos: Gaza’s Shattered Families, Electronic Intifada
Photos and stories of the many families who suffered the loss of family members in last summer’s assault.
The Month in Pictures: December 2014, Electronic Intifada
Photos of events in Palestine in December.
Syria:
Peek Inside Kobani After Kurds Claim Victory Over ISIS, Time Lightbox
Turkish photojournalist Bulent Kilic photographs what remains of this Syrian border town after intense fighting.
All is Gone, Just Like Kobane, Al Jazeera In Pictures
Kurdish families living in refugee camps in Turkey want to return to their lives in the destroyed Kobane.
Other:
Bahman Leaves Home, Mada Masr Panorama
Photo essay by Loulou d'Aki of an Iranian musician who travels to Istanbul by train from Tehran in order to play his music, forbidden at home.
A New Day at Abu Omran, Al-Akhbar English
Photos of objects that remained after the destruction of a cafe by two suicide bombers in Tripoli, Lebanon.
Creative Photo Series ‘Ahwach’ by Abdellah Azizi, al. arte. Magazine
Layered, combined photos of the Ahwach music festival in Ouarzazate, Morocco.