LISTEN ON ITUNES
In episode seven, Zara and Yasmine talk to Ali and Zain Haider about the legacy of Edward Said and look at modern day travel photography through the lens of Orientalism. They discuss the ways in which ‘othering’ still takes place, and how well regarded photographers, intuitions and publications are still promoting that narrative. They also examine questions of identity and consent; and ‘self-Orientalisation’ among poc photographers and communities.
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT IN THIS EPISODE
- The legacy of Edward Said; Orientalism, this theory and its influence on academia
- Criticisms levelled at Said
- Orientalism in travel photography
- Steve McCurry and other travel photographers
- ‘Self-Orientalisation’ – by POC photographers and communities
- Use of racial terms: ‘white’ as a mindset and not skin colour necessarily
- Responsibility of the photographer in portraying ‘other’ cultures
- Identity of the photographer and the privileges afforded to ‘white’ photographers
- Questions of consent: do principles differ based on the skin colour of the subject?
- National Geographic (and other publications) and ‘Orientalist’ photography
- The ‘white gaze’ – who is the photo intended for and who controls the narrative?
- Examples of photographers who avoid the ‘Orientalist’ narrative
PEOPLE/THINGS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
- Edward Said and his groundbreaking book Orientalism
- Steve McCurry
- Steve McCurry’s photo. Caption: Woman cleansing karma during monsoon festival in the Bagmati River, Kathmandu, Nepal, 1984.
- Afaq Ali’s Insta Story dealing with Orientalist photographers
- Yasmin Mund‘s ‘Roof Top Dreams’ – 2nd place in Nat Geo’s Photographer of the Year Contest
The photo can also be viewed on Yasmin Mund’s website where copies are being sold.
- Teju Cole’s NY Times article ‘A Too Perfect Picture.’
- Eva Zu Beck
- Zain Haider’s Insta Story about Eva Zubeck and the Dawn controversy
- Dawn
- Everyday Pakistan
- Lost With Purpose
FURTHER READING
Orientalism in early photography: ‘Orientalism’ by Dr Nancy Demerdash
