A photographic exhibition titled “The Struggle against the Sun” by Libyan photographer Abdul Hakim Madi

The Struggle against the Sun-2023

Libyan photographer Abdul Hakim Madi

By: Yaqin Laswad

Tripoli, Libya_ The sun, a friend to some and an enemy to others. Depending on your geographical coordinates. Down below and up above in the poles and in the freezing regions the sun is sought after luxury, but here in the vastness of the Sahara Desert it could become harmful and cause a great obstacle in the daily lives of the inhabitants of the city of Ghadames in Libya.

Throughout history these people have struggled to survive under the scorching sun and in an environment whose hardships affected their lifestyle, city planning, architecture, behavior and culture. In general, life in Ghadames has been focused on coping with this harsh climate.

A Light and Shadow Narrative

The very essence of surviving the sun in Ghadames by its inhabitants has been the focus of the study of “light” and “shadow” by the Libyan photographer Hakim Madi which materialized in his art exhibit titled “The Struggle Against the Sun” held at the Art House in Tripoli from 27 February to 9 March 2023. This photography art exhibit is based on his Ph. D. thesis, which carried the title “Battle Against the Sun”, at the University of Bauhaus Weimar, Germany in 2012.