A collaborative photographic and participative project that explores the visual and cultural connections between the cities of Cairo and Stuttgart. Conceived by two artists, the project focuses on creating an exchange of perspectives by presenting small-format photographs of each city, inviting viewers to experience these urban landscapes through the eye of a pedestrian.
The artists have captured unassuming yet evocative moments of everyday life in both cities, deliberately avoiding dramatic lighting, altered proportions, or overly staged compositions. Instead, the images reflect what naturally catches a visitor’s attention – a raw, human-scale observation of the characteristics of each city. These postcards show how seemingly simple motifs reveal surprising parallels or striking contrasts shaped by different climates, environments, and cultural contexts.
For example, the green landscapes of Stuttgart are brought into sharp contrast after returning from the warm, sun-drenched vibrancy of Cairo. These observations form the backbone of the project, offering insights into how urban and environmental differences shape perceptions.
The exhibition, which premieres at ARD Art Institution in Cairo before moving to Stuttgart, presents the printed postcards as paired works. Each pair connects a view of Cairo with one of Stuttgart, not through direct parallels, but through an associative and intuitive dialogue between the two places.
Visitors are encouraged to actively engage with the project. Each participant can choose a postcard from the Cairo series and one from Stuttgart to take with them, share, or send. This participatory element fosters a cultural exchange, bridging the two cities in a personal and tangible way.
POSTCARDS from/to STUTTGART/CAIRO invites the audience to consider the nuances of urban life and to reflect on the relationships between them.