GPP Photo Week, the region’s longest-running international photography event, is famed for giving a platform to the growing local photography scene. This year, for its 15th edition, the event will be held in collaboration with The Arab Fund for Arts and Culture and Alserkal Avenue, and will host a myriad of exhibitions, workshops and talks, showcasing a range of local, regional and international artists.
“GPP Photo Week is a unique opportunity where photography industry leaders and the community can engage in different ways. We’ve worked very hard to present our most varied programme yet, catering to a range of interests in all aspects of photography […] there is something for everyone to enjoy”, says Mohamed Somji, Co-Director of Gulf Photo Plus.
GPP Photo Week 2019’s headline exhibition (in association with the Prince Claus Fund and Magnum Foundation) titled The Shortest Distance Between Us: Stories from the Arab Documentary Photography Program, will take place at the iconic Concrete with the aim of a putting a spotlight on seven ground-breaking documentary Arab photographers.
The exhibition is set to showcase Elsie El Haddad’s Stranded: One Life After Imprisonment series which follows men and women through their re-entry into society after time in prison in Lebanon.
Also on display is Moroccan photographer Hicham Gardaf, who explores urban development and the transformations of Moroccan society in his series titled Intersections.
Infertile Crescent by Nadia Bseiso documents the effects of war and ecological ravages in the crescent of Mesopotamia. Omar Iman captures Syrian refugees composing scenes of their dreams in her series Live, Love Refugee.
Tunisian photographer Zied Ben Romdhane beautifully explores the roughness of everyday life in Gafsa, a marginalised phosphate-mining region in his home country.
Mohamed Mahdy’s Moon Dust project looks at the impact of toxic dust from a cement factory in a residential neighbourhood of Alexandria. Finally, Hea Khalifa explores the struggle of womanhood and women’s relationship with the body in her striking series Homemade.
Alongside the headline exhibition, GPP will also present Facade to Facade (which will continue until 8 June) by Emirati artist Hussain AlMoosawi, exploring the UAE’s most West-Anderson inspired architecture.
Syrian artist Sara Naim, famed for her abstract, techni-color photosculptures, will present Building Blocks, an exhibition exploring boundaries and perceptions.
The Spotlight Talks will also make their return to PhotoWeek this year, with a series of talks by GPP instructors, internationally renowned photographers and industry-leading brands, such as Sony and FujiFilm.
Partnering with DJI, the leading brand for drone and aerial photography, GPP will create a truly unique photography experience, offering a series of demos with their drones and allow members of the festival to test out drone flying.
GPP Photo Week 2019 runs from 4-9 February at Alserkal, Dubai.