Nour Al-Masry: A Lens Capturing the Pulse of Old Cairo Before Its Disappearance
Egyptian photographer Nour El-Masry presents a unique visual archive reflecting the changing face of Cairo, using his camera to document the city's aesthetic memory before it is swallowed by rapid urbanization.
A Visual Language Between Spontaneity and Awareness
Nour El-Masry began his journey with photography a decade ago out of personal curiosity, which evolved into a comprehensive expressive language thanks to his background in designing film sets. This expertise gave him a keen sense of light and perspective, enabling him to transform ordinary streets into dramatic scenes with emotional depth.
El-Masry relies on capturing spontaneous moments and minute details that the casual observer might overlook, such as an old window or an abandoned balcony. He aims to convey a sense of tranquility and peace through these shots, relying on the power of the image to tell stories without the need for words or verbal explanations.
Against Forgetting in a Changing City
El-Masry's focus is particularly on the districts of Old Cairo, Khedivial Cairo, and Maadi, where he finds a visual identity different from similar modern architecture. He sees life and character in heritage buildings, while noting the disappearance of many historical landmarks in favor of large residential and commercial projects aimed at accommodating population density and achieving financial returns.
Therefore, he considers his images as historical documents attempting to preserve the city's original appearance for future generations. The image of a balcony in Garden City, taken by chance and which sparked widespread interest, embodies this effort to cement the aesthetic memory of a city changing rapidly.
After ten years of continuous practice, El-Masry has become more aware of his subject choices, but he retains a space for free exploration that characterized his early artistic beginnings.
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