no barking aRt
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Sunday 28 June 2020
Conversation with Adam Isfendiyar - Sunday 28 June 2020, 2 pm, no barking aRt
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In Alec Soth’s latest book, he talked about how Diane Arbus influences his work.
“…My earliest pictures didn’t have people in them at all. Then I looked at Arbus. There’s so much power. And that’s how I thought of people in my pictures – they’re like the gasoline. The power is undeniable. I originally struggled to get that fuel into the engine. But once I did it started to drive everything.” Adam Isfendiyar’s project ‘Living In Lockdown London’ is all about the people, and of cause the city of London is the main character of the project. While some pictures are more memorable than the others, the thing about this project is to be viewed as a whole; what this project speaks for is to give us a deeper understanding of the people in the lockdown London. 
Living In Lockdown London, Tony Blundell, Joe and their dogs ,Shadwell.
Alex Ustych, Emma and Baroness Hale, Stepney.
Rebecca Godden, Mile End.
In His Own Words; the conversation.
no barking aRt: Would you like to tell us about ‘Living In Lockdown London’ ? and some memorable moments when shooting the project. Adam Isfendiyar: I was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response from people who wanted to be involved in this project, and how much people seemed to enjoy being a part of something that connected the community. There were a lot of memorable moments, and it was a lot of fun to meet new people every day. I'd usually chat for a few minutes, then move on and there were some shoots where I would turn up at the window, take the shots and leave without speaking a word. Probably the most memorable shoots for me were Joe, who I have known since I was a child. He was a friend of my grandparents and is now 96 and it was really lovely to see him again after all these years. There was also one street in Limehouse where I shot 5 households within about 30 mins - that was a lot of fun too. 
Joe.
Jenny & Richard, Tim, Hannah, Sam & Isaac, Limehouse.
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NB: are there participants' stories you like to highlight?
AI: The stories that I would most like to highlight are…Katja for her art project that she has created during the lockdown; Narin and Nish for their work on the frontline and all of the participants of the VE Day story for being willing to tell their story of lockdown and the war. 
Katja. Aldgate East. 2020
Nish Rahman. 2020---
'I'm Nish I work as an NHS and Local Authority frontline Mental Health Specialist. I work out of hours from 5pm-9am week days and 12 hour shifts on weekends. My brother also works in the NHS and usually lives with my parents in Paddington. However due to my dad being on the at risk list with COPD and diabetes he had to move in with me. ' -to read more in Adam's Blog, click on each image.
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NB: On reflection of this project, what do you think that this project is all about? And any thought to conclude the journey?
AI: The project is about being able to relate to our different experiences of isolation during lockdown through identification with others and their personal stories. One of the positives that have come out of lockdown is the sense of community, and I think that this project has helped to build a sense of connectedness within the community and hopefully further afield too. 
Paddy & Damian, Bethnal Green.
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Living In Lockdown London - Bruno, Maja, Juan Carlos & Roy, Bethnal Green.
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Tamsin, Mile End.
About the Artist:
Adam Isfendiyar is a London based photographer who tells stories of people and their relationship with their identity and environment. His belief is that an artist's understanding of one's subjects is best found through learning about the experiences of individuals and the lives they have lived. Working on a variety of shoots, from lifestyle to fashion, shooting for brands including ANAP and Ageha magazine. His photos and writing have been published in Tokyo Weekender, Airasia Travel 360, as well as having photos of other work published in Lava Magazine , Crank Magazine and Edge Of Humanity Magazine.‘Master, An Ainu Story’ was chosen to be shown at The ICP Museum, New York in May 2019 and The Brunei Gallery, London from Oct - Dec’18. His current series ‘Living in Lockdown, London’ has been featured on the BBC. Isfendiyar was also a Saatchi featured artist Nov’19. Reference: Conversation from 'I Know How Furiously Your Heart Is Beating' by Alec Soth, published March 2019 by MACK. |