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
The place of labour
The wooden shed - a storage place for various materials and tools, is located in the back of the temple close to the small temple, an area not yet restored and closed to tourists.
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
Some methods of transporting materials are more fun than others
This 'slide' for transporting materials is a relict in itself. Currently left unused from the works of the previous Mission director.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
The camouflaged Sphinx
The excavated ruins are kept on a fenced field in front of the temple.
Their arrangement is an open-air maze. Here a sheet covered Sphinx figure found whilst wondering around the excavation research field.
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
Some offices are more interesting than others
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Safety is crucial in the workplace
The communication between Egyptian and Polish workers happens at verbal and non verbal levels.
Both parts of the team try to learn essential words used in their technical and very laborious work.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Everything has its place, even the hat
My grandfather always stresses that organisation is key to productive and effective work.
All tools and materials have a clearly labeled place in the storage shed.
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
It's important to leave your mark
Egyptian workers leaving marks in form of their names and doodles on one of the walls of the storage shed.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
The Hatshepsut Temple
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
On days off we see other historical places
My grandfather portrayed as he is waling up the stairs of another Egyptian temple we visited on the only day off - Sunday.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
On days off we see other historical places part II
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Metropolitan House
This historic house passed on from the British to the Polish mission was my accommodation for the week i spent in the Egyptian desert.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
My bed
One of the few and undoubtedly the most important piece of furniture in my room
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Do not touch in three languages
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
The glamorous way of bathing
My grandfather installed this metallic, turquoise shower curtain a few years before my visit to provide a sense of privacy in the half open shower.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Come hide in my shadow
After getting heatstroke twice within a few days and hiding in the shadows of Metropolitan house, I went outside wearing two protective hats.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Sand inspired palette
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
10:30 means Lunch
Although guava has a slight smell of petrol, it is a delicious pear-like fruit.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Hydration is key
Drinking hot tea cools you down, but only when you drink from a glass burning your hand. Remember to stay hydrated.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
H2O
Water was delivered to the house daily in the blue water cart.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Architecture Studio
One of the rooms hidden away on the second floor of the Metropolitan House is an office designated for working on plans, drawings and documentation.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
The Sun blessings
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Polish tribe, Egyptian desert
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Accumulated papers
Inside the Architecture Studio
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Cleopatra was there too
All members of the mission are known for their senses of humour.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Do I dare open it?
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
The temple takes priority over the house
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
Fragmentation
The act of photographing people tears me apart. Better remain within the inanimate.
Backstage/Kulisy, Egypt, April 2018
Fragmentation
Is photographing environments and landscapes more insightful than photographing people?
Is it eliminating the reductive nature of documentary or simply avoiding it?
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
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.