The Middle East Through a Lens in London
London has some of the best art in the globe yet until recently, you'd be hard pressed to find modern-day photography that accurately captures Middle Eastern culture in any exhibit in the city. The V&A (Victoria and Albert Museum) and the British Museum have recognized the void and answered in a big way. They have brought 30 artists together from 13 different countries in the Middle East to curate an exhibit of 90 carefully selected pieces that showcase this diverse land with cutting edge photos and a modern-day spin with: Light from the Middle East.
The photography exhibit is separated into three themes: Recording, Reframing and Resisting. The recording theme explores powerful moments in history such as photos of a mother who has just lost her sons in the war. Reframing takes a new spin on an existing photograph such as adding Louis Vuitton labeling to clothing. The Resisting section challenges the artists to rework the integrity of an existing photograph with various techniques, to change it in some way, to question what it showed originally and change it however they see fit.
Throughout its time in the museum, complementary programming will enhance the works with poetry, cultural commentators and more; check with the museum websites for dates. Admission is free and this exhibit runs through April 2013.
