CAIRO: “It will disturb people and it will awake them up, says photographer Hesham Labib about his newest exhibition illustrating a group of children from the streets of Cairo.
“People will also sympathize with them.
The exhibition consists of portraits of the children, capturing both their destitute condition and their love of life. Some may recognize Tata, Mariam, Abeer and the rest of the girls from the documentary “El Banat Dol (Those Girls) that took Cairo’s culture scene by storm.
Tahani Rached’s film presents a candid view of teenage girls living on the streets – girls we pass by who get little more than a cursory glance from.
But the censors refused to authorize the film for public viewing and so it was only shown at cultural centers.
Labib was invited by the film’s producer Karim Gamal El Din to document the making of the film in photographs.
Despite his specialization in glossy photography, Labib willingly accepted the offer, determined to raise awareness of marginal issues.
“I think that one must work once or twice a year on social projects to stay in touch with reality, he says.
He spent every day for a month and a half on the streets with the children to gain their trust and put them at ease when being photographed.
“They won’t let you photograph them unless you make friends with them, play tawla [backgammon], and listen to their stories, he says.
Eventually the girls grew to enjoy being photographed, and Labib gave them copies of the pictures they liked.
Through their world, Labib became familiar with a life much worse then he had anticipated. He felt “disturbed and sad . there is a lot of heavy stuff, he says.
Heavy stuff indeed. Those who saw the film know the dangers “those girls are exposed to every day of their lives. Drugs, rape, abuse, police raids and even kidnapping by other street children are the day-to-day reality.
In this exhibition, Labib focuses on everyone living within the 100 square meter area of the girls, boys included.
“The portraits valorize the presence of children on the streets. So I really enjoyed seeing them. But at the same time they make you recognize that there is a problem in Egypt, especially in big cities, says artist Huda Lutfi teaches Arab Muslim History and Culture at the American University in Cairo since 1983.
Even without seeing the film, this exhibition is moving. Lutfi continues: “I think [Labib] captures the atmosphere of the children and what they do, and the sense of freedom one gets is very obvious and I think the photographer was able to show that.
Labib called the show “cut short because he believes a picture is worth a thousand words.
An architect who graduated from the School of Fine Arts in Cairo, Labib’s previous photography exhibits were held in Egypt, France and Mali.
Cut ShortThe Townhouse Gallery10 Nabrawy St., off Champollion St., Downtown, Cairo.(02) 576 8086On Until April 2510am-2pm and 6- 9pm except Thursday
