Cairo Photo Marathon 2011

The first Photo Marathon in the Arab world is scheduled to take place in Cairo on 15 January 2011 organised by International Media Support, The Danish Egyptian Dialogue Institute (DEDI) and a number of local cultural institutions

The Cairo Photo Marathon is a one-day photography competition, organised by volunteers and photo enthusiasts and open for professionals and amateurs with an interest in photography, held across numerous world cities at various dates throughout the year. Participants are given the task to interpret a number of themes posed by the organisers, within a specific time frame.

The photography themes often spark debate and are meant to challenge people’s creativity. This factor inspired the Danish Egyptian Dialogue Institute (DEDI) in Cairo to explore the possibilities of carrying out a photo marathon in the mega-city Cairo with support from International Media Support (IMS). During her visit to Copenhagen in September 2010 to observe a photo marathon is organised and to seek inspiration, DEDI’s gender cooordinator and co-organiser of this January’s Cairo Photo Marathon said in an interview with IMS:

– There is an active photography and visual arts culture in Cairo, but there has never been a photo marathon in the Arab world. It is clear that the marathon is a way in which to engage the public on social issues, particularly gender issues, in a creative, imaginative, dynamic and non-traditional way.

(To read the full story, follow this link)

Aim and Objective

The thematic focus of the first Cairo Photo Marathon will be on gender relations in the Egyptian metropolis. The organisers aim to create a platform through an alternative and novel approach which aims to engage public interest and spark debate on gender issues through a gamesome, unconventional activity.

Themes

A group of 19 themes developed by live storyteller Motaz Attalla, have been selected and will remain confidential until the competition begins. The themes are in Arabic, and include interpretations and contextual elaborations in English.

Process, Anchor and Theme Collection Spots

Every four hours during the 12-hour marathon, contestants will return to the anchor spot or one of the theme collection spots where they are provided with four new themes (potential locations are Maadi and Heliopolis). At the end of the 12-hour marathon, contestants submit 12 consecutive photos reflective of the themes presented. Cairo Photo Marathon rules and regulations will be made available on the project webpage.

During the 6-hour marathon, participants will receive all 6 themes at the start of the race.

The anchor spot of the Photo Marathon will be the Townhouse Gallery, Downtown Cairo. The anchor spot will serve as a space for rest during the marathon in the city- an opportunity for discussions, searching for good motives, and for a chat with some of the many other participants. Cairo Photo Marathon organizers have agreed to explore collaboration with local bookstores as potential drop off spots. This allows accessibility to various districts within the city, and allows participants ample opportunity and exposure to different urban contexts to reflect and interpret the themes.

Selection Process and Exhibition

A jury consisting of three recognised photographers and cultural figures will select the winning images. The winners will be selected in accordance with the different themes that make up the Photo Marathon. Confirmed jury members are photographer Maha Maamoun, and the artist Heba Farid. The winning photographs will receive prizes that include professional cameras, photography courses at the Contemporary Image Collective, and art books.

Awards and Prizes

A total number of 65 photographs will be exhibited according to the following sequence and awards at a subsequent exhibition to be held at CiC:

– 6 Hour Photo-Marathon commences at 09.00. Participants are handed 6 themes. At 15.00 they submit a sequence of 6 images reflective of their interpretation of the 6 themes presented. In this category there are 3 main winners. Total Number of photos exhibited: 18

– 12 Hour Photo-Marathon commences at 09.00. Participants are handed 4 themes. At 13.00 a further 4 themes are collected. This process occurs again at 17.00, and at 21.00 participants will submit a sequence of 12 images reflective of the 12 themes in total. Total Number of pictures exhibited: 36 (Top 3 winners) + 11 individual best images/themes = 47 images.

Management

The event will be organised by The Danish Egyptian Dialogue Institute (DEDI) and International Media Support (IMS), coordinated by Osama Dawod, in collaboration with the Danish Photo Marathon team, Townhouse Gallery and a number of local Egyptian institutions in Cairo. These Egyptian institutions will include a well-esteemed newspaper in which the winning pictures will be published.

Pre-marathon registration is required on Saturday 8 January, 2011.  Registration will be open to 100 contestants.

For additional information check http://cairophotomarathon.com/ or contact Osama Dawod: info@osamadawod.com or Muna Bur: mb@dedi.org.eg.