EGX ends week mostly higher on Oct. 16    Egypt, Qatar sign MoU to boost cooperation in healthcare, food safety    Egypt, UK, Palestine explore financing options for Gaza reconstruction ahead of Cairo conference    Egyptian Amateur Open golf tournament relaunches after 15-year hiatus    Egypt's Kouchouk: IMF's combined reviews will give clearer picture of fiscal performance    Egypt will never relinquish historical Nile water rights, PM says    Oil prices rise on Thursday    Fragile Gaza ceasefire tested as humanitarian crisis deepens    Egypt explores cooperation with Chinese firms to advance robotic surgery    CBE, China's National Financial Regulatory sign MoU to strengthen joint cooperation    Avrio Gold to launch new jewellery, bullion factory in early 2026    AUC makes history as 1st global host of IMMAA 2025    Al Ismaelia launches award-winning 'TamaraHaus' in Downtown Cairo revival    Al-Sisi, Burhan discuss efforts to end Sudan war, address Nile Dam dispute in Cairo talks    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Al-Burhan renew opposition to Ethiopia's unilateral Blue Nile moves    Egypt's Cabinet hails Sharm El-Sheikh peace summit as turning point for Middle East peace    Gaza's fragile ceasefire tested as aid, reconstruction struggle to gain ground    Egypt's human rights committee reviews national strategy, UNHRC membership bid    Al-Sisi, world leaders meet in Sharm El-Sheikh to coordinate Gaza ceasefire implementation    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile actions, calls for global water cooperation    Egypt unearths one of largest New Kingdom Fortresses in North Sinai    Egypt unearths New Kingdom military fortress on Horus's Way in Sinai    Egypt Writes Calm Anew: How Cairo Engineered the Ceasefire in Gaza    Egypt's acting environment minister heads to Abu Dhabi for IUCN Global Nature Summit    Egyptian Open Amateur Golf Championship 2025 to see record participation    Cairo's Al-Fustat Hills Park nears completion as Middle East's largest green hub – PM    El-Sisi boosts teachers' pay, pushes for AI, digital learning overhaul in Egypt's schools    Egypt's Sisi congratulates Khaled El-Enany on landslide UNESCO director-general election win    Syria releases preliminary results of first post-Assad parliament vote    Karnak's hidden origins: Study reveals Egypt's great temple rose from ancient Nile island    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Egypt reviews Nile water inflows as minister warns of impact of encroachments on Rosetta Branch    Egypt aims to reclaim global golf standing with new major tournaments: Omar Hisham    Egypt to host men's, juniors' and ladies' open golf championships in October    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







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Learning to appreciate Egypt all over again
Published in Daily News Egypt on 16 - 08 - 2006

CAIRO: If the oppressive heat and maddening crowds are leaving Cairo's image a little worse for wear in your eyes, take a look through the lenses that made "For Love of Photography. This photo exhibition, open now at the Mualana Azad Centre for Indian Culture, could just have easily been named "For Love of Egypt. Each of the four exhibited photographers have instinctively zeroed in on the smallest, but most powerful aspects of beauty in this place.
The artists, Moustafa Al-Shershaby, Sayed Mahgoob, Ahmed Abdul Aziz, and Mona Abdul Karim, while each having their own unique approaches, shared the same general themes. Mostly focusing on Islamic Cairo and the coast of Alexandria, their photography styles vary from pensive portraits, exquisite architectural shots, to some photos that are almost dream like; the colors and lighting are so intense it's hard to believe they're real pictures.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Abdul Karim's collection was a small cluster of blurred shots that at first glance seem to be explosions of color. Upon more careful examination, one can discern the twirling, flying skirts of a Sufi dancer. The color Abdul Karim captures in their frenzied motion feels beyond the bounds of reality. Abdul Karim says she was trying to prove that the art of photography can be just like that of painting.
"Any painter can catch such colors. And I can capture those colors with my camera, she explains.
Abdul Aziz's strengths, meanwhile, are in his sunsets. His collection of shots along the coast of Alexandria is enchanting. The shots of red ocean sunsets and sun beam pierced clouds simply glow.
Also a master with colors is Sayed Mahgoob, who is known for his excellent night shots. Mahgoob does not disappoint, and in some shots his technique for the city skyline lights and reflecting moonlight gives his landscapes a fantasy quality. Part of the effect comes from the fact that many of the locations he chooses are familiar, making the effect of his art more surprising.
For sophisticated architectural shots, check Mahgoob's exhibit neighbor, Al-Shershaby. The alignments of his shots complement the complex geometric beauty of Islamic art and architecture. His 40 years experience, since age 12, has not been a waste. And unique to his exhibit are shots of Islamic architecture from Rashid city. Al-Shershaby says that the delicate painted wooden architecture of this 17th century city is "unique to Egypt, and the whole world.
Touring her portion of the exhibit, Abdul Karim says she purposely avoids capturing entire buildings when she shoots Islamic Cairo. Her photos focus on anything from finely wrought door knobs, to the tops of minarets piercing a cloud speckled sky.
"Small things show the beauty, she says, "If you contemplate and meditate those small things, you see the real beauty.
Refresh and re-inspire your appreciation of Egypt, and photography, and check out "For Love of Photography.
The exhibit is open from August 13 to August 24, at the Mualana Azad Centre for Indian Culture, at 23 Talaat Harb.


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