The Perils of Photojournalism

 Cairo February 2nd, 2011,  Andrew Burton

Freelance photojournalist Andrew Burton experienced first-hand the risks of his career yesterday when he was violently attacked by pro-Mubarak supporters. He told his story to The Picture Show, (photos from around the world, as well as commentary from NPR's multimedia team).

Burton describes his attack, “It took about 15 minutes to walk from my hotel to the square. As I moved through the thickening crowd, things seemed slightly more tense than earlier in the day. Before I got to where the fighting was taking place, I noticed a pro-Mubarak supporter painting slogans over anti-Mubarak graffiti. I started to photograph him, but was suddenly grabbed from behind by a young man who also slapped his hand over my camera – he was very angry.”

A pro-Mubarak supporter paints slogans over anti-Mubarak graffiti. February 2, 2011. 
These were the last photographs Burton took before he was grabbed from behind and beaten by pro-Mubarak supporters. 

Burton tried to walk away but instead became a catylst between pro and anti Mubarak factions. Pro-Mubarak supporters grabbed Burton beating him while anti-Mubarak protesters encircled him trying to move while being beaten “Five or six guys surrounded me and took many more blows than I did”. Slowly they moved toward an Army Tank.

“We were headed towards an Egyptian army tank and when we hit it, the men positioned me with my back to the tank, squatting down. At this point, I was pinned. People continued to kick, punch and grab at cameras. Soldiers standing on top of the tank were waving pistols and screaming. My shirt was ripped from my back, hands went into my pockets, the men protecting me were screaming, "You are safe, we are here for you, we will get you out of this."

Anti-Mubarak Protesters on an Army Tank Earlier That Day. Andrew Burton

I only escaped when the soldiers on top of the tank literally ripped me out of the crowd, lifting me by the armpits. I was dumped head-first inside the tank. I found myself surrounded by 14 Egyptian soldiers – young men my age, smiling at me.”

Burton stayed inside the tank until evening when a general escorted him out of the tank getting him a cab to his hotel.

“I don't know what happened to the men that protected me. I owe them my life, or something close to it, and I don't know what would have happened to me without them. This is my first time in a situation like this. I was incredibly lucky.”

Defending The Egyptian Museum

Egyptian Museum ~ Cairo*
*link currently unavailable

Last night the city of Cairo was a battlefield. All week thousands of Egyptians have been streaming into Tahir Square in the heart of Cairo to protest the oppressive regime of Egypt's president Honsi Mubarak. Their demand is for him to step down. Last night armed gangs of Molotov cocktail hurling pro-Mubarak plain clothes forces moved into the square in a bloody yet  ultimately unsuccessful attempt to break up the protest. Right in the middle of all this, the Egyptian Museum* houses the treasured legacy of Egypt's long cultural history.

 

 Human chain protecting the Egyptian Museum, Cairo

photo: Khaled Desouki/Agence/Agence France-Presse - Getty Images, NYT

Throughout the current turmoil Egyptians have risen to the challenge of protecting their cultural legacy. Initially, after a brief but destructive looting spree in the museum the army (so far acting in a peace keeping role) apprehended the vandals and placed tanks strategically near the museum until local Egyptians came and linking arms surrounded the building to protect it. Luckily curator's say, the damages can be repaired.

Probably the most famous artifact in the museum is the gold sarcophagus of Egypt's King Tutankhamun (King Tut) 1341-1324 BC. King Tutankhamun was Egypt's 18th dynasty, New Kingdom Pharaoh whose treasure filled tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922.

 King Tutankhamun (King Tut) sarcophagus 1323 BC - Egyptian Museum, Cairo, photo: John Spicer

The Evolution of Beauty

Denis Dutton explains a Darwinian theory of beauty.

Kimberly Brooks Creative Process

Still in my artist's malaise using all my arsenal of tactics to avoid getting to work. Miss Brooks here no doubt has a good point about needing to turn off the facebook/email.

Kimberly Brooks Creative Process

Inspiration From the North

 Canadian artist Kenojuak Ashevakin

I believe that every once in a while an artist, or anyone for that matter, needs to reassess why and what they are doing. One of my favorite methods of inspiring myself, is to seek out types of art that I love and start exploring. Canadian artist Kenojuak Ashevakin is inspiring me right now.

 Talelayu Opiitlu (Talelayu with Owl), by Kenojuak Ashevak, Stonecut, Stencil on paper, 1979

Winnipeg Art Gallery

Kenojuak Ashevakin is important to the print making tradition of Cape Dorset, Canada. Her work inspires me with it's fresh and lively interpretations of Inuit mythology. This reclining image of Taleelayuk, a female Inuit  sea spirit, with a great yellow-eyed owl seem to embody a friendly shamanic power. The artist began her life as a traditional arctic nomad learning how to inset designs onto animal skin clothing. She later transferred those skills to printmaking and has become one of Canada's most iconic artists. Her images have appeared on Canadian stamps and she has won national honors including Companion of the Order of Canada.

 My Birds, by Kenojuak Ashevak, Stonecut, Stencil on paper, 1975