One naturally sees Israel through a prism of conflict. But if you go by photographer Idris Ahmed’s frames, then they present a timeless tribute to one of the world’s most soulful, resolute and news-worthy countries. Embracing moments on land, light, life and the soul of its inner spirit, his stunning images are about quiet moments of everydayness that anchor a restless world. Uma Nair brings a selection from the Kolkata International Photography Festival
Everyday idioms
Sitting at the mouth of the meandering Yarkon river, Tel Aviv has a six-mile beach popular with young, laid-back locals. Cyclists, joggers and dog walkers stroll the promenade, while sunbathers and surfers rule the beach, giving Israel’s second city a certain ‘Californian feel.’ “Israel has a tremendous history and legacy, architecturally speaking, much of which dates back to the architecture in Jerusalem which evolved over three millennia, formed by inspirations from the best Persian, Roman, Ottoman Turkish architecture, with a bit of colonial German architecture thrown in the mix,” says Idris who captures vignettes of the modern.
Jerusalem
No visit to the region would be complete without a trip to Jerusalem. With a history stretching back almost 5,000 years, and sights including the Dome of the Rock, the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and al-Aqsa Mosque, few cities resonate in the same way. Religion and rituals both come alive in images that reflect customs. The Jewish family during a bar mitzvah ceremony at Western Wall as well as the expressionist elegance of A young boy during his bar mitzvah ceremony are intense and inspiring. The black and white images have a resonance that talk to us about the mapping of life’s infinite greys. It is through the delicacy of details that shows us how Idris has a hand that is both experienced as well as restrained in its nuances of freezing the frame.
Time regained
Idris gives us a repertoire of the confluence of communities and their moments in everyday symbolism. Muslim woman walk towards Dome of the Rock and Muslim kids play in front of Dome of the Rock are two images that clearly signify the vitality of religion as well as a zest for living. The idea of the plurality of religions comes to the fore when we glimpse the images of Young orthodox Jews walking on the streets of Jerusalem as well as the nonchalant symbol of gay abandon when we look at Young Israelis skateboarding around old port at Namal, Tel Aviv.
We can gauge from these images the lifestyle that cruises in front of the camera — from colourful marketeers to families in prayer at the Western Wall, these incredible images move beyond the typical postcard images of the country to showcase the character of its people and the sanctity of the land they are so resolute in preserving. “While tourists flock to the salty waters of the Dead Sea, and the historic sites around its shores, most are unfamiliar with the Western Galilee region (the country’s most mountainous),” says Idris. “It calls itself the ‘Tuscany of the Middle East’, thanks to the lush greenery and Crusader sites, including the Montfort fortress, a ruined castle you can climb to enjoy spectacular views. The rolling landscape is perfect for a scenic day of cycling.”
Ultimately you must pause over the two images that echo the passion of the rituals in Christianity — Holy Fire, where an orthodox Christian pilgrim is holding candles during the Holy Fire ceremony on Easter and Divine Light, which has monks lighting up candles at Coptic Chapel on Good Friday. They transcend time and space.
