Cinematographer Abdelsalam Moussa is currently preparing to launch « a Kind of Magic » exhibition within the framework of Cairo Photo Week. It is organized by Photopia, under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Tourism Promotion Authority, and the Ministry of Culture, in coordination with visual artist and film director, Hala Elkoussy, who is the longtime collaborator of Abdelsalam Moussa with several cinematic works to their credit, such as « East of Noon », which was screened in the Directors’ Fortnight at the 77th Cannes International Film Festival.
« A Kind of Magic », which will be held at Cairo Design District (CDD) at New Cairo between (6-18) May, is considered Abdelsalam Moussa’s first solo exhibition after taking part in multiple group exhibitions. Moussa unleashes his own magic through a stunning visual experience based on a multi-screen immersive installation, displaying new visual narratives of scenes from his cinematic and television works. American Cinematographer, which is one of the most prominent and prestigious cinematography magazines in the world, ranked Moussa as one of the rising stars in the world for 2020. A cinematographer with a unique visual style, Moussa’s credits include: « Muga Harra », « Embratoria Meem », « Harag we Marag », « Mussawer Qatil », « walad we bint », « Afraah El Qubba », « Dayye », « The Crime », and « Cactus Flower ».
Moussa mentioned that the title of the exhibition, « A Kind of Magic » was inspired by the words of late esteemed critic Magdy Eltayeb which highlight the extraordinary experience of cinema. Through a three screen and nine speaker installation, a new dramatic narrative is born for the characters of familiar cinematic and television works.
Director Elkoussy took her inspiration for the exhibition from the words of late esteemed critic Magdy Eltayeb; « Abdelsalam Moussa seems to have replaced the camera with a magic staff, transforming the screen—whether small or large—into a world charged with magic, beauty, and awe ». The characters that Moussa illuminated for the most prominent filmmakers in Egypt and abroad converge in a new realm; the magic world of Abdelsalam Moussa. In a medley of sunrise, sunset, full moon, stage lights, candle flames and raging fires, they come to life, and in the shadows, they whisper about the essence beyond the surface, in an ethereal cinematic experience that unfolds uniquely for every viewer.
Abdalrahman Mahmoud created the sound for the installation, Hala Elkoussy and Adham Yehia edited the videos and post-production was undergone at Vivid Studios.
Photopia’s founder and executive director, Marwa Abu Leila, stated, « Cairo Photo Week focuses on celebrating exceptional artistic experiences. In ‘a Kind of Magic’ exhibition, director of photography Abdelsalam Moussa presents an artistic experience that highlights how the camera lens carries a whole life and how a single character can get out of the usual framework through the synchronized display across three screens into another realm and present a novel and integrated idea.
It is noteworthy that the fourth Cairo Photo Week, held between (8-18) May under the title « Discovering the Scene », includes over 20 individual and collective exhibitions for professional local and international photographers and cinematographers. They also include international institutions, such as World Press Photo, Vogue, National Geographic, and Getty Images, in 14 locations cultural centers in Downtown. Furthermore, Cairo Photo Week is to host over 100 discussion sessions, workshops, and live demos, with the participation of international experts and artists, in collaboration with multiple embassies, such as the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, and Denmark, along with the British Council and the European Union.
