In these images, Bulaj uses objective lighting to highlight the humanity of her subjects. In the process, she purposefully darkens their surroundings, created an atmosphere that is solely focused on the people; this is directly opposite to how Afghanistan is defined today: by its conflicts, poverty, and instability. Instead, she wishes not to forget these items, but highlight and define them in new ways, specifically by their impact on the humanity and beings of Afghans. What we see is not one sole message, but rather a multitude of transformations: from perseverance to abandonment, from resilience to submission. Her message is not itself revolutionary, but she eyes instead the transformation of the information medium itself: from event-focused to a greater, holistic understanding of Afghanistan's humanity.
Afghanistan is mostly seen by the world as a place of war and poverty. Bulaj is a photographer that aims to show the "hidden light" of Afghanistan through the photos she takes. This hidden light is the people of Afghanistan that are fighting for survival in a rough world. She focuses these pictures on the peaceful people of Afghanistan. She chooses to make these peaceful Afghans the main focus of her pictures. She wants to show people the struggle that is happening every day in that country. The pain and suffering as these Afghans just try to go about their lives. She wants to highlight that Afghanistan isn't solely a country full of war.
What I found most interesting in this video as I sought to understand the connection between the images, the talk, and the title of the presentation, was the images of light in the background of the photos. I noticed the vernacular architecture and how the inner places of the buildings were intentionally created to interact with the light of the sun in such a way that cool places seem to be able to stay coll, and places that need to be warmed are warmed. The vernacular architecture of Afghanistan allows the people to interact with the natural light of the country, rather than falsely manufacturing the light as is so often don in our country. The use of the sun, which even appears to be present in the picture of the underground school, could be the key to the hope of the nation and the light of the people.
necessity is the mother of invention. if we did not live in a country of such wealth, technology and excess, our architecture would look pretty different as well. the medium is the message
"Afghanistan is mostly seen by the world as a place of war and poverty. Bulaj is a photographer that aims to show the "hidden light" of Afghanistan through the photos she takes. This hidden light is the people of Afghanistan that are fighting for survival in a rough world. She focuses these pictures on the peaceful people of Afghanistan. She chooses to make these peaceful Afghans the main focus of her pictures. She wants to show people the struggle that is happening every day in that country. The pain and suffering as these Afghans just try to go about their lives. She wants to highlight that Afghanistan isn't solely a country full of war."
So to just address the comment above after having watched the video, I would like to remind people that the Middle East used to be considered the pinnacle of the world for a long time. Baghdad was one of the most technologically advanced cities in Asia, and the Arabs were all about peace. What people do not understand is that it is because of the white man that the Middle East in general has taken a turn for the worse and is therefore commonly known to be how it is today. I think Bulaj does an amazing job trying to change these preconceived notions that people have.
I would say the cause of the decline in the middle east or anywhere else for that matter is always human failing. greed, lust for power. desire to be alpha. recognizing our failings is the first step to understanding them. understanding them allows us to change them. let's talk morality.
I thought this video was amazing because it showed that, no matter where they come from, how they dress, or what they believe in, people are people and have the same basic needs and desires as people everywhere. It also gave a new perspective to the Middle East and the surrounding area. The news and stories we hear about that area make it seem like it is a terrible place with people that we wouldn't really want to get to know; however, this is not the case. Monika Bulaj traveled through these areas and met the people. She showed that the vast majority of the people there get by with very little and are incredibly welcoming and really are amazing people. This makes you realize that the way we see other countries and cultures (and the way they see us) is greatly influenced by just a few people. This is very important to keep in mind when forming views about them.
It's so easy to look at the situations of people in far away places and acknowledge that they have it rough but not really emotionally invest yourself. This story puts faces to the situations and breaks down that wall of separation. It's humbling to look at the situations she came across with such an inside look.
This video was short but incredibly beautiful. Bulaj says that she seeks to find the hidden lights of Afghanistan- a theme not only present physically in her photographs (each photo seems to have some kind of light whether it be candles, natural light, reflection off of white cloth, etc) but also in its meaning. Bulaj traveled through Afghanistan finding truth about life there in the ten years since the start of the war and simply life in general. She said that she also found Noor- the god of Light, a sacred god in Sufiism. In her travels and experiences she has found light in the form of knowledge and in a way almost illuminating the hope that still remains in the despair of Afghanistan.
In these images, Bulaj uses objective lighting to highlight the humanity of her subjects. In the process, she purposefully darkens their surroundings, created an atmosphere that is solely focused on the people; this is directly opposite to how Afghanistan is defined today: by its conflicts, poverty, and instability. Instead, she wishes not to forget these items, but highlight and define them in new ways, specifically by their impact on the humanity and beings of Afghans. What we see is not one sole message, but rather a multitude of transformations: from perseverance to abandonment, from resilience to submission. Her message is not itself revolutionary, but she eyes instead the transformation of the information medium itself: from event-focused to a greater, holistic understanding of Afghanistan's humanity.
ReplyDeleteAfghanistan is mostly seen by the world as a place of war and poverty. Bulaj is a photographer that aims to show the "hidden light" of Afghanistan through the photos she takes. This hidden light is the people of Afghanistan that are fighting for survival in a rough world. She focuses these pictures on the peaceful people of Afghanistan. She chooses to make these peaceful Afghans the main focus of her pictures. She wants to show people the struggle that is happening every day in that country. The pain and suffering as these Afghans just try to go about their lives. She wants to highlight that Afghanistan isn't solely a country full of war.
ReplyDeleteWhat I found most interesting in this video as I sought to understand the connection between the images, the talk, and the title of the presentation, was the images of light in the background of the photos. I noticed the vernacular architecture and how the inner places of the buildings were intentionally created to interact with the light of the sun in such a way that cool places seem to be able to stay coll, and places that need to be warmed are warmed. The vernacular architecture of Afghanistan allows the people to interact with the natural light of the country, rather than falsely manufacturing the light as is so often don in our country. The use of the sun, which even appears to be present in the picture of the underground school, could be the key to the hope of the nation and the light of the people.
ReplyDeletenecessity is the mother of invention. if we did not live in a country of such wealth, technology and excess, our architecture would look pretty different as well. the medium is the message
Delete"Afghanistan is mostly seen by the world as a place of war and poverty. Bulaj is a photographer that aims to show the "hidden light" of Afghanistan through the photos she takes. This hidden light is the people of Afghanistan that are fighting for survival in a rough world. She focuses these pictures on the peaceful people of Afghanistan. She chooses to make these peaceful Afghans the main focus of her pictures. She wants to show people the struggle that is happening every day in that country. The pain and suffering as these Afghans just try to go about their lives. She wants to highlight that Afghanistan isn't solely a country full of war."
ReplyDeleteSo to just address the comment above after having watched the video, I would like to remind people that the Middle East used to be considered the pinnacle of the world for a long time. Baghdad was one of the most technologically advanced cities in Asia, and the Arabs were all about peace. What people do not understand is that it is because of the white man that the Middle East in general has taken a turn for the worse and is therefore commonly known to be how it is today. I think Bulaj does an amazing job trying to change these preconceived notions that people have.
I would say the cause of the decline in the middle east or anywhere else for that matter is always human failing. greed, lust for power. desire to be alpha. recognizing our failings is the first step to understanding them. understanding them allows us to change them.
ReplyDeletelet's talk morality.
I thought this video was amazing because it showed that, no matter where they come from, how they dress, or what they believe in, people are people and have the same basic needs and desires as people everywhere. It also gave a new perspective to the Middle East and the surrounding area. The news and stories we hear about that area make it seem like it is a terrible place with people that we wouldn't really want to get to know; however, this is not the case. Monika Bulaj traveled through these areas and met the people. She showed that the vast majority of the people there get by with very little and are incredibly welcoming and really are amazing people. This makes you realize that the way we see other countries and cultures (and the way they see us) is greatly influenced by just a few people. This is very important to keep in mind when forming views about them.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to look at the situations of people in far away places and acknowledge that they have it rough but not really emotionally invest yourself. This story puts faces to the situations and breaks down that wall of separation. It's humbling to look at the situations she came across with such an inside look.
ReplyDeleteThis video was short but incredibly beautiful. Bulaj says that she seeks to find the hidden lights of Afghanistan- a theme not only present physically in her photographs (each photo seems to have some kind of light whether it be candles, natural light, reflection off of white cloth, etc) but also in its meaning. Bulaj traveled through Afghanistan finding truth about life there in the ten years since the start of the war and simply life in general. She said that she also found Noor- the god of Light, a sacred god in Sufiism. In her travels and experiences she has found light in the form of knowledge and in a way almost illuminating the hope that still remains in the despair of Afghanistan.
ReplyDelete