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Magnum Workshop Scholarship Winners at Foto Freo March 8, 2012

Posted by bohdan.warchomij in : Darren Clayton, Foto Freo, Magnum, Metaphor Images , add a comment

This week will be a huge week for photography enthusiasts in Perth with the Foto Freo Festival opening on Friday March 16 at the Fremantle Arts Centre. The ‘Magnum scholarship’ winners for free places in the workshops, funded by the WA Department for Culture and the Arts, were Darren Clayton, Conor Ashleigh and Mohammed Morsi. Congratulations to them all.

Highly commended were Lucus Catalano, Charlene Winfred and Denny Stocks. There were 39 photographers who submitted portfolios. The judges included David Dare Parker, Claire Martin and Max Pam. The workshops themselves finished up fully subscribed.  It will be interesting to see the projection that highlights their work.

Other events from the Festival in the week ahead:

Special Festival Events include the opening of Divergence: Photographs from Elsewhere at the Midland Atelier in the Midland Railway Workshops on Wednesday evening, March 14, the opening of the Contemporary Australian Family Photographic Project at the Breadbox Gallery in Northbridge on March15, and the Popup Photo Sound Exhibition: Falta de Luz, South America after dark in a shipping container on Victoria Quay, between B and C sheds.

The Divergence opening, on Wednesday, March 14, promises to be a truly amazing event with more than 60 exhibitions on show in a ‘room’ 200m long! Exhibitors at Midland include Sohrab Hura, Ketaki Sheth, Sam Harris, Eva Fernandez, Tony Hewitt, Christian Fletcher, Peter Eastway and Martin Parr. The Divergence exhibition is a part of the Fotofreo 2012 Open Exhibition Programme.

There will be a special performance piece for the popup exhibition on Wednesday night, March 21, between 8.00 – 9.00 pm, which Joel wynn Rees (photographer) will show a projection accompanied by music improvised for the occasion by Ned Beckley.

Photo Conor Ashleigh
Photo Conor Ashleigh

Darren Clayton Photo: Tahrir Square Egypt Revolution
Darren Clayton Photo: Tahrir Square Egypt Revolution

Darren Clayton Photo: Tahrir Square Egypt Revolution
Darren Clayton Photo: Tahrir Square Egypt Revolution

Latest Developments: Report from Cairo November 27, 2011

Posted by bohdan.warchomij in : Cairo, Darren Clayton, Metaphor Images , add a comment

CAIRO: The stages were dismantled, the microphones muted. This was not a day for squabbling voices among Egypt’s growing band of protesters. Instead, the plan was for Tahrir Square to reverberate with a single, simple demand. Military rule must end, and end now, the crowd roared as one. The time for compromise was over.

Photo Darren Clayton?metaphor Images

Photo Darren Clayton/Metaphor Images

But compromise is exactly what the ruling generals had in mind as they unveiled the new prime minister, Kamal el-Ganzouri, the latest weapon in their battle to shut down a crisis that has now claimed more than 40 lives and thrown the country’s political landscape into turmoil. A former Mubarak-era prime minister, Ganzouri, 78, is reprising his old position at a time when the public appetite for genuine change has never been fiercer.

The supreme council of the armed forces [Scaf] will be hoping he can convince the wider public that their transition plan — including national elections that, improbably, are due to start in just two days time — remains credible.

In central Cairo, 100,000 people felt very differently.

Photo Darren Clayton/Metaphor Images

Photo Darren Clayton/Metaphor Images

“I’m not ideological and I don’t care about politics, but you don’t have to be political to know that when rulers decide to kill their own people, their time is up and they have to leave,” said Ahmed Kandil, a 23-year-old business consultant who joined the anti-Scaf rally. “What I’ve realised this week is that right now thousands and thousands of people are speaking out against these massacres, and collectively we are roaring.” And so Egypt is in deadlock once again, torn between an authoritarian regime in the palace and a grassroots uprising at the gates — with a political class stumbling around the middle ground trying to capitalise on piecemeal concessions from above.

Ten months on from the toppling of Mubarak, as military helicopters whirred above Tahrir and marches swept in demonstrators from all directions, a sense of deja vu permeated the square.

The difference was that, as of Friday night, the new targets of the revolution remained unmoved from their thrones, despite international opinion now turning notably against them. Seven straight days of deadly violence can quickly reshape political realities, and Washington is not the only place where support for Scaf appears to be rapidly deteriorating. In the early afternoon, two officers appeared on a balcony overlooking Tahrir Square and led chants against Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, Scaf’s leader and their own commander-in-chief. They joined a small but expanding group of mid-ranking officers who have effectively defected in recent days and allied themselves with the protesters.

Photo Darren Clayton/Metaphor Images

Photo Darren Clayton/Metaphor Images

“I want the people to know there are army officers who are with them,” Major Tamer Samir Badr told the Guardian. “My feelings came to a head last week when I saw people dying, and the army gave the orders for us to just stand and watch. I’m supposed to die for these people, not them die for me. Now I’m ready to die in the square, and I’m not afraid of anything.”Speaking next to an open window that looked out on to Tahrir and which Badr insisted was left open so that he could hear the crowds, the 37-year-old claimed that many other officers had been attending the protests secretly in civilian clothes.

“Scaf is composed of 19 generals and they are the ones who have power in this country. But those 19 are nothing compared to the thousands of people in the forces. I demand that the field marshal hand over power to a civilian government immediately, and that he just leave,” he said.

“Of course this puts me in danger, but I am on the right side. I’m with the people. If I die, I will die with a clean conscience. Either I will get killed in the square, or get sent to a military court then prison.”

If the desertion of some of their juniors has spooked Egypt’s generals, they are being careful not to show it.

Ganzouri’s appointment:

Ganzouri’s appointment was widely interpreted as a calculated snub to the protesters occupying central Cairo and other major squares around the country, replacing one uninspiring Mubarak-era politician with another. While Mohamed ElBaradei — the more radical alternative who many protesters would like to see heading a new civilian government — prayed with demonstrators in Tahrir, Ganzouri gave his first press conference and said in a somewhat faltering manner that he was no puppet of the armed forces which appointed him.

“The powers given to me exceed any similar mandates,” he declared, looking uncomfortable and frequently pausing for long periods as he spoke. “I will take full authority so I’m able to serve my country.”

The speech prompted derision in the square, where crowds chanted “illegitimate” and dispatched some of their number to begin a sit-in at the nearby cabinet office. “Everything about this f*****g ‘transition’ is old and expired: Scaf, their prime minister, and their teargas,” posted Egyptian journalist Sarah Carr on Twitter.

As the day wore on clashes between police and demonstrators were reported in the Nile delta town of Mahalla el-Kubra as well as the upper Egyptian city of Minya and several other smaller locations. In the capital, three human chains of protesters stopped anyone from approaching a three metre high concrete barricade put in place by soldiers to separate armed police and revolutionaries on Mohamed Mahmoud Street, where most of this week’s deaths have taken place.

Two large banners strung across the road renamed the thoroughfare as Street of the Martyrs and Eyes of Freedom Street, the latter a reference to the dozens of protesters who are believed to have been blinded by what appeared to be the deliberate firing of birdshot by security forces at head height.

Photo of birdshot victim by Darren Clarke/Metaphor Images

Photo of birdshot victim by Darren Clayton/Metaphor Images

Despite the relative calm on Friday, nearby field hospitals continued to tend to patients. “This protest is more important than 25 January [the start of the anti-Mubarak uprising],” argued Mohamed Nabeel Elmasry, one of several volunteers who helped protect the medical facilities from being swamped by the crowds. “I live in New Jersey and haven’t been back to Egypt for 20 years, but I came today because we had promises from the military council and those promises were broken. We’re a trusting people and we gave them a chance, even though they felt like an extension of the old regime. And then through action after action after action, they showed us we were wrong.”

What the generals’ next action will be remains to be seen, as does the outcome of the parliamentary vote, which is scheduled to start on Monday.

It seems remarkable that Egyptians will begin queuing at polling stations even as multiple parties withdraw from the race, city centres remain occupied by protesters and bloodshed continues on the streets.

But then nothing in this country has been unremarkable over the past 10 months and, judging by the current atmosphere in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, it seems that is the way things are set to stay.—Dawn/Guardian News Service

The Second Revolution November 23, 2011

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As this is posted the second  phase of the Egyptian Revolution has taken to the street. Darren Clayton from Metaphor Images is still on the ground in Tahrir Square documenting the Egyptian people’s courage and committment to changes in an authoritarian system. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) has iniatiated the second wave of protests by its authoritarian and vicious approach to the revolutionaries. Summary trails, the violation of democratic processes has brought people onto the street. They will be there for the long haul.

“Nine months after deposing Hosni Mubarak, tens of thousands are back in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and other Egyptian cities, calling on rulers to “Erhal! Erhal!” (Leave!). Violent clashes have left at least 29 dead since Saturday.

As in the anti-Mubarak demonstrations, a broad cross-section of Egyptian society has taken unrealized demands for democracy and political freedom to the street. February’s was an incomplete revolution. A dictator was toppled, but an authoritarian system stayed in place.

The initial public goodwill enjoyed by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) after Mubarak’s fall has been depleted by its own heavy hand. Over 12,000 civilians have been summarily tried and sentenced by closed military courts, without recourse to appeal. Dates and rules for elections keep changing—with the latest hand-off to civilian rule slated for sometime in 2013. This is not what Egyptians expected of this new era.

The latest straw was the SCAF’s backdoor effort to control the assembly that will write a new constitution, which was due to be seated after parliamentary elections start next week. The generals also sought to put themselves and their budget beyond civilian control, on the Pakistani governing model.

The Muslim Brotherhood, the largest Islamist party, organized a massive rally last Friday. Other political groups joined in calls for the military to give up power and took over the protest when the Islamists pulled out Saturday. Last night, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi promised to move presidential elections forward to June, but he added vague talk of a referendum on civilian rule that sent up red flags. His concessions may not be sufficient to satisfy protesters.”

Wall Street Journal Report:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204531404577054200258766734.html

Photo Darren Clayton/ Metaphor Images
Photo Darren Clayton/ Metaphor Images

Cairo Revolution November 20, 2011

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DARREN CLAYTON/METAPHOR IMAGES CAIRO REPORT:

“After a peaceful protest attended by thousands on Friday, Tahrir Square erupted into violence on Saturday as police battled protester with tear gas and stones.
A street running off Tahrir Square turned into a battle zone as protesters forced back riot police and armoured trucks using chunks of  bricks ripped from the pavement.
The protest had already started when I arrived on the scene at around 3 30 in the afternoon. Taking the back alleys I saw protesters milling around and defying the police. Coming around a street corner a group of police turned and hurled rocks at the small group of protester I was with.
Tear gas exploded and the protesters fled through alley ways and were forced back onto Tahrir Square.
Soon a abandoned police truck on Tahrir square was set ablaze as the anger of the crowd grew and more people started to stream into the square.
I witnessed some protesters trying to organise members of the protest to retaliate  against the police. Various objects were ripped from  shopfronts while  bricks were broken up into smaller ones for throwing. People among the crowd whipped up support using chants against the government and asking Allah for help. Old men and young women
took part in this action and more. Other protesters carrying water treated victims of teargas inhalation and gave care as best they could.
By this time I estimated  it had been going on for 30 or 40 minutes. Teargas shot through the air and exploded amongst the crowd both at the front and several meters into the waiting crowd.
Dozens of injured protesters were taken to waiting ambulances  a block or two away, frantic people pushed gurneys ( trollies) rushing the injured for treatment where doctors and medics attended to them. Teargas inhalation, cuts and more injuries kept the medics busy while a stream of victims arrived.
Soon night fell and the police forced the protesters back onto Talaat Harb Street where a pitched battle erupted forcing both sides to retreat and advance as one or the other gained the upper hand.
The square at Talaat Harb was filling up as people came to watch or take action,and  soon after I left the scene as shops closed their shutters and  people fled. The revolution continues.”
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injured protester lead away

Darren Clayton/METAPHOR IMAGES A burqua glad protester was one amongs many individuals who protested their own complaints at the 18th November protest.
Darren Clayton/METAPHOR IMAGES A burqua glad protester was one amongs many individuals who protested their own complaints at the 18th November protest.

Darren Clayton/METAPHOR IMAGES: Driven on by the speakers a man waves the Koran in support of the Musilm base party that is wipping up the crowd with speeches and songs.
Darren Clayton/METAPHOR IMAGES: Driven on by the speakers a man waves the Koran in support of the Musilm base party that is wipping up the crowd with speeches and songs.

Darren Clayton/METAPHOR IMAGES: Police truck on Fire Cairo
Darren Clayton/METAPHOR IMAGES: Police truck on Fire Cairo

Metaphor Images Darren Clayton: Cairo 18 November 2011 Million Man March November 18, 2011

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Photo Darren Clayton: Singing songs  low,and in harmony  but with an air of conviction members of the muslim brotherhood gather in preparation for the million man march at Tahrir Square  the next day Friday the 18th Cairo.
Photo Darren Clayton: Singing songs low,and in harmony but with an air of conviction members of the muslim brotherhood gather in preparation for the million man march at Tahrir Square the next day Friday the 18th Cairo.

Darren Clayton Report/Metaphor Images: Thousands of protesters are expected to show up at Cairo’s Tahrir Square and other public spaces across the country on Friday for a protest that has been planned for weeks. As usual, several names have been proposed for the event, the most popular of which appears to be “The Friday of the One Demand.”

The single demand on which all political parties seem to agree is that for the abrogation of the so-called “El-Salmi document,” which contains government-proposed “supra-constitutional principles.” Earlier this month, Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs Ali El-Selmi proposed the principles, which, critics say, will grant the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) supra-constitutional powers and put unfair conditions on the formation of a provisional assembly that will be mandated with drafting a new constitution.

While rejection of the supra-constitutional principles will represent a major plank of Friday’s demonstration, protesters are also expected to call for the speedy transfer of power to an elected civilian authority and for presidential elections to be held by April of next year.

http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/26817/Egypt/Politics-/Most-political-forces-throw-weight-behind-Egypts-F.aspx

Darren Clayton Reporting from Cairo November 14, 2011

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Darren Clayton from Metaphor Images is in Cairo for the Egyptian Elections. The photos he is sending are the first glimpses into a political culture that we do not see in mainstream media.

Revolution Graffiti  Tahir Square Cairo Egypt Photo Darren Clayton
Revolution Graffiti Tahir Square Cairo Egypt Photo Darren Clayton

Revolution Graffiti  Tahir Square Cairo Egypt Photo Darren Clayton
Revolution Graffiti Tahir Square Cairo Egypt Photo Darren Clayton

Revolution Graffiti  Tahir Square Cairo Egypt Photo Darren Clayton

Revolution Graffiti Tahir Square Cairo Egypt Photo Darren Clayton

FACE TO FACE April 30, 2011

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Border Clash

Darren Clayton’s beautiful photos from Preah Vihear temple  exemplify the ironies of border politics.  At the temple he visited there seem to be  few reasons for conflict.  Both temples are Buddhist and are visited by both Cambodian and Thai buddhists. In a face to face stand off at Ta Krabey at least six soldiers are reported to have been killed and several wounded in fighting between Cambodia and Thailand over this disputed border. Ta Krabey temple has sparked the latest in the long running conflict between the two nations.

Thai Army Ranger Photo Darren Clayton
Thai Army Ranger Photo Darren Clayton

Preah Vihear Temple in an early morning mist. Photo Darren Clayton
Preah Vihear Temple in an early morning mist. Photo Darren Clayton

Nuns and Monks on the temple walkway. Photo Darren Clayton
Nuns and Monks on the temple walkway. Photo Darren Clayton

Indonesia, which has been facilitating talks on behalf of regional bloc the Association of South-East Asian Nations  called for an cessation of hostilities and expressed “profound concern”.

Both countries blamed each other for starting the latest exchange of fighting.

Cambodia said the incident began at dawn, when Thai troops moved in on designated Cambodian territory, firing rockets and rifles and forcing Cambodian troops to retaliate.

Map

Cambodian defence ministry spokesman Lt Gen Chhum Socheat said three Cambodian soldiers were killed and six wounded.

Thailand said its troops had been on routine patrol in the area and Cambodia fired first.

A Thai spokesman said that three soldiers had been killed and 11 injured.

The governor of Surin province, Serm Chainarong, said the authorities were preparing to evacuate 5,000 people from the area. Cambodian authorities also said that they had evacuated about 200 families.

Tensions have been high – with troops and artillery massing on both sides of the border – since four days of deadly fighting in February over the 11th Century Preah Vihear temple, some 200km (124 miles) east of Ta Krabey.

A ceasefire was brokered after those clashes, but the latest fighting shows just how fragile it is.

February’s clashes killed at least 10 people and stoked nationalist sentiment on both sides.

Preah Vihear temple – high in mountains along the border between the two nations – was awarded to Cambodia in 1962 by an international court.

But both sides claim ownership of the surrounding area, and there have been several skirmishes there in recent years over territory.  Darren Clayton’s photos emphasise the ironies of this territorial conflict.

barbwire gate Cambodian-Thai crossing Preah Vihear 2-10 600

Cambodian troops on the road to Preah Vehear temple. Photo Darren Clayton
Cambodian troops on the road to Preah Vihear temple. Photo Darren Clayton

Other parts of the Thai-Cambodian border have not yet been formally demarcated, causing ongoing tensions between the two neighbours.

These photos by Darren Clayton from Preah Vihear are published for the first time.