What happens backstage does not matter
Documenting the work of the Polish-Egyptian Archeological Mission in Deir Al Bahri was an extraordinary experience. Their restoration works of the Hatshepsut Temple were equally amazing, but what intrigued me the most was the 'invisible backstage' of the process, the mixing of two very different cultures and the intricacies of being a visitor in a community of people with a cause.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Two stones, two different eras
Historical accuracy is key
The construction stones used as restoration materials are different in hue and texture to the preserved ancient ruins.
This visual difference is crucial for illustrating the historical timeline and maintaining historical accuracy.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
My grandfather portrayed in the Mission's office during his 21st Mission
My visit to Egypt and the Polish-Egyptian Mission was all thanks to my grandfather, an active member of the Mission acting as a specialist engineer. The Mission's office is located in the small temple and is closed to visitors.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Addicted to history
The syringes and gloves in this picture were used in the process of rebuilding one of the main statues in the front of the temple. The structure had to be deconstructed after the Polish mission discovered that the previous mission made a mistake in the measurements and the statue was too tall. In order to preserve the historical accuracy the Polish mission decided to deconstruct the sculpture and rebuild it according to historical truth.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
3 meals a day for 12 people for 3 to 6 months a year
The mission hired live in help to cook meals and do household chores. The lovely meals they prepared for a dozen people each day were a combination of Polish and Egyptian cuisines made from locally sourced ingredients (mainly fresh and cooked vegetables and occasionally meat).
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Fragmentation
Capturing reality and its complexity is always affected by resolution framing and other manipulations. Instead of avoiding the reductive nature of photography maybe simply dive in?
The tomatoes were washed in boiling water and their skin was peeled, it was too hard to eat raw.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Exhibition view: Ruskin School of Art Degree Show 2019
Backstage / Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
C-Type print on gloss paper, vinyl cutout stickers
The combination of photographs and writing configured around the vinyl outline of the Hatshepsut Temple where I photographed this series is an artistic exploration of the relationship between space, history, reconstruction and the position of people within it.