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BIDESHI PHOTOSTUDIO RUDRAPUR - BANGLADESH Kurt Hoerbst DOCUMENTATION Alexandra Grill
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PREFACE When wandering through rural Bangladesh with a camera in your hand the sentence „Bideshi…chobi, chobi…! – Stranger! Take a photo of me!” will soon be heard all around. An unbelievably delighted eagerness to be photographed is definitely there. When Kurt Hoerbst met and fell for the village Rudrapur and its dwellers in 2005 the idea for the project BIDESHI Photostudio was founded. People in Rudrapur live simple, agriculture and craftsmanship dominate everyday life. Family itself as the highest rated value in society, is nevertheless rarely preserved in a photograph as it would be in more western parts of the world… Technology and the arts simply are too far away or not affordable- up until… The project BIDESHI Photostudio, which started off in December 2008 after intense preparations and diligent planning by Austrian Kurt Hoerbst, first and foremost provided a welcome opportunity to earn money for the men of Rudrapur. The experienced bamboo and clay specialists constructed a simple but impressive building within a month’s work – by hand! The hut and the entire project were organised in cooperation with Dipshikha, a wellestablished organisation in Rudrapur. As a close neighbour to the Meti-school, which is well renowned through various prizes in architecture, the daylight studio offered locals to be photographed professionally from the beginning of February 2009. A glass roof and light Sari-fabrics on the side walls created a soft ambience in combination with the clay ground and back wall. While project assistant Alexandra Grill took digital
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photos of the families, Kurt Hoerbst photographed the villagers analogue in a large format system. Single portraits in front of the even clay background of course had to be taken as well! The digital data was edited, printed and laminated the same and passed on to the curious models the next day. Surprised by their image (and often amused) they usually welcomed their photographs with great fascination. Wandelt man mit einer Kamera durch das ländliche Bangladesch hört man es bald von allen Seiten: „Bideshi ... Chobi, chobi ... ! – Fremder! Mach ein Bild von mir!“ Eine unvorstellbar freudige Bereitschaft fotografiert zu werden, ist zweifelsfrei gegeben. Als Kurt Hörbst in den Jahren 2005 und 2006 das Dorf Rudrapur und seine Bewohner kennen und lieben lernte, wuchs die Idee zum Projekt BIDESHI Photostudio. Die Menschen leben dort in sehr bescheidenen Verhältnissen, Landwirtschaft und Handwerk prägen den Alltag. Die Familie als höchster gesellschaftlicher Wert erfährt aber dennoch keine fotografische Verewigung wie das in unseren Breiten üblich ist.... Technik und Kunst sind einfach zu weit weg oder unerschwinglich. - Bisher.... Durch das Projekt BIDESHI Photostudio, das der Österreicher Kurt Hörbst nach reiflicher Planung und intensiver Vorbereitung im Dezember 2008 startete, erhielten vorerst einige Männer des Dorfes eine willkommene Verdienstmöglichkeit. Die bereits erfahrenen Bambusspezialisten und Lehmbauer errichteten in einmonatiger Handarbeit
die schlichte aber imposante Konstruktion. Der Bau sowie das gesamte Projekt wurde als Kooperation mit der in Rudrapur gut etablierten Organisation Dipshikha organisiert. Als unmittelbarer Nachbar der durch mehrere Architekturpreise bekannt gewordenen Meti–Schule bot ab Anfang Februar 2009 das Tageslichtstudio den Dörflern die Chance, sich professionell fotografieren zu lassen. Glasdach und helle Saristoffe an den Seitenwänden zaubern in Kombination mit Lehmboden und -rückwand ein warmes, weiches Ambiente. Während die Projektmitarbeiterin Alexandra Grill digitale Bilder von den Familien machte, lichtete Kurt Hörbst die Dorfbewohner analog mit einem Großformatsystem ab. Auch Einzelporträts vor dem gleichmäßigen Lehmhintergrund durften freilich nicht fehlen. Die digitalen Daten wurden noch am selben Tag bearbeitet, ausgedruckt, laminiert und Tags darauf den neugierigen Porträtierten überreicht. Überrascht vom eigenen Abbild (und auch nicht selten belustigt) nahmen diese ihre Fotografien meist sehr begeistert in Empfang. When wandering through rural Bangladesh with a camera in your hand the sentence „Bideshi…chobi, chobi…! – Stranger! Take a photo of me!” will soon be heard all around. An unbelievably delighted eagerness to be photographed is definitely there. When Kurt Hoerbst met and fell for the village Rudrapur and its dwellers in 2005 the idea for the project BIDESHI Photostudio was founded. People in Rudrapur live simple, agriculture and
craftsmanship dominate everyday life. Family itself as the highest rated value in society, is nevertheless rarely preserved in a photograph as it would be in more western parts of the world… Technology and the arts simply are too far away or not affordable- up until… The project BIDESHI Photostudio, which started off in December 2008 after intense preparations and diligent planning by Austrian Kurt Hoerbst, first and foremost provided a welcome opportunity to earn money for the men of Rudrapur. The experienced bamboo and clay specialists constructed a simple but impressive building within a month’s work – by hand! The hut and the entire project were organised in cooperation with Dipshikha, a wellestablished organisation in Rudrapur. As a close neighbour to the Meti-school, which is well renowned through various prizes in architecture, the daylight studio offered locals to be photographed professionally from the beginning of February 2009. A glass roof and light Sari-fabrics on the side walls created a soft ambience in combination with the clay ground and back wall. While project assistant Alexandra Grill took digital photos of the families, Kurt Hoerbst photographed the villagers analogue in a large format system. Single portraits in front of the even clay background of course had to be taken as well! The digital data was edited, printed and laminated the same and passed on to the curious models the next day. Surprised by their image (and often amused) they usually welcomed their photographs with great fascination.
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Wandelt man mit einer Kamera durch das ländliche Bangladesch hört man es bald von allen Seiten: „Bideshi ... Chobi, chobi ... ! – Fremder! Mach ein Bild von mir!“ Eine unvorstellbar freudige Bereitschaft fotografiert zu werden, ist zweifelsfrei gegeben. Als Kurt Hörbst in den Jahren 2005 und 2006 das Dorf Rudrapur und seine Bewohner kennen und lieben lernte, wuchs die Idee zum Projekt BIDESHI Photostudio. Die Menschen leben dort in sehr bescheidenen Verhältnissen, Landwirtschaft und Handwerk prägen den Alltag. Die Familie als höchster gesellschaftlicher Wert erfährt aber dennoch keine fotografische Verewigung wie das in unseren Breiten üblich ist.... Technik und Kunst sind einfach zu weit weg oder unerschwinglich. - Bisher.... Durch das Projekt BIDESHI Photostudio, das der Österreicher Kurt Hörbst nach reiflicher Planung und intensiver Vorbereitung im Dezember 2008 startete, erhielten vorerst einige Männer des Dorfes eine willkommene Verdienstmöglichkeit. Die bereits erfahrenen Bambusspezialisten und Lehmbauer errichteten in einmonatiger Handarbeit die schlichte aber imposante Konstruktion. Der Bau sowie das gesamte Projekt wurde als Kooperation mit der in Rudrapur gut etablierten Organisation Dipshikha organisiert. Als unmittelbarer Nachbar der durch mehrere Architekturpreise bekannt gewordenen Meti–Schule bot ab Anfang Februar 2009 das Tageslichtstudio den Dörflern die Chance, sich professionell fotografieren zu lassen. Glasdach und helle Saristoffe an den Seitenwänden zaubern in Kombination mit
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Lehmboden und -rückwand ein warmes, weiches Ambiente. Während die Projektmitarbeiterin Alexandra Grill digitale Bilder von den Familien machte, lichtete Kurt Hörbst die Dorfbewohner analog mit einem Großformatsystem ab. Auch Einzelporträts vor dem gleichmäßigen Lehmhintergrund durften freilich nicht fehlen. Die digitalen Daten wurden noch am selben Tag bearbeitet, ausgedruckt, laminiert und Tags darauf den neugierigen Porträtierten überreicht. Überrascht vom eigenen Abbild (und auch nicht selten belustigt) nahmen diese ihre Fotografien meist sehr begeistert in Empfang. When wandering through rural Bangladesh with a camera in your hand the sentence „Bideshi…chobi, chobi…! – Stranger! Take a photo of me!” will soon be heard all around. An unbelievably delighted eagerness to be photographed is definitely there. When Kurt Hoerbst met and fell for the village Rudrapur and its dwellers in 2005 the idea for the project BIDESHI Photostudio was founded. People in Rudrapur live simple, agriculture and craftsmanship dominate everyday life. Family itself as the highest rated value in society, is nevertheless rarely preserved in a photograph as it would be in more western parts of the world… Technology and the arts simply are too far away or not affordable- up until… The project BIDESHI Photostudio, which started off in December 2008 after intense preparations and diligent planning by Austrian Kurt Hoerbst, first and foremost provided a welcome opportunity to earn
money for the men of Rudrapur. The experienced bamboo and clay specialists constructed a simple but impressive building within a month’s work – by hand! The hut and the entire project were organised in cooperation with Dipshikha, a wellestablished organisation in Rudrapur. As a close neighbour to the Meti-school, which is well renowned through various prizes in architecture, the daylight studio offered locals to be photographed professionally from the beginning of February 2009. A glass roof and light Sari-fabrics on the side walls created a soft ambience in combination with the clay ground and back wall. While project assistant Alexandra Grill took digital photos of the families, Kurt Hoerbst photographed the villagers analogue in a large format system. Single portraits in front of the even clay background of course had to be taken as well! The digital data was edited, printed and laminated the same and passed on to the curious models the next day. Surprised by their image (and often amused) they usually welcomed their photographs with great fascination. Alexandra Grill
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P 15 Nisi Kanta Roy, 36, farmer. Janata, 30, housewife. Bulbul, 5 years. Moyna, 1 year.
P 17 Poresh Deb, 45, farmer. Promila Dabi, 40, housewife. Shankar, 17 class 10. Mitun,19. Sanatana, 16, married to Mitun.
P 19 Dhala Babu, 32, farmer. Shafali Rani, 27. Prya, 8. Polak, 4.
P 21 Nibaron , 39, office job. Mitrica, 34, housewife. Bikash, 13, class 9. Laboni, 11, class 6.
P 23 Tagar, 30 with his 3 daughters: Asa, Diti, Prya.
P 24 Aupan Roy, 33, farmer and mudworker. Amika Bala, 29. Puja, 7. Puppy, 4 weeks.
P 25 Milon Roy, 29, cook. Patul Rani, 24. Jayasri, 4, class 1
P 27 Sepal Chandra Deb Sharma, 41, Dipshika Boss in Rudrapur. Sabetri Rani, 34. Shikha Rani, 14. Simu Rani, 9. Chandraangshu,5.
P 37 Bina, 72. Votvoti Bala, 69.
P 38 Jibon Chandra Roy, 7. Meti-School-Student.
P 39 Dinamondu is about 50 years old, he says.
P 41 Ferdosi, 8.
P 42 Jayasri, 4.
P 43 Manoka, about 60 years old.
P 45 Asiruddin, 66, seller.
P 57 Jyoti, 5.
P 58 Anukul Chandro Roy, 28, teacher.
P 59 Gitendra, 21.
P 61 Jokesh, 40, Mishti-maker and seller.
P 62 Kalpana Rani Roy, 28, teacher.
P 63 Shiuly Ming, 30, teacher.
P 65 Fatick Roy, 35, farmer.
P 67 Aminul Islam, 38, farmer. Bagam, 34. Balal, 18, not in the picture. Tariqul, 3 years.
P 68 Sakla, 9 years.
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P 69 Montu Ram Shaw, Builder.
P 70 Eajandra Nath Roy, 82.
P 71 Aminul Islam, 12, Seller.
P 73 Romesh Roy, 55, farmer.
P 74 Jagadish Deb, 55, farmer.
P 75 Reputi, 30, farmer, with his first born son Bidan, 3.
P 77 Lakhan Deb with 2 of his cows, 29, farmer.
P 89 Bablu Kujur, 52, night watchman of Dipshika.
P 90 Shilpl, 13.
P 91 Shefaly Toppo,61.
P 93 Romesh Roy, 60 , farmer and bamboo worker. Bhudo Bala, 45. Rabindra, 9.
P 95 Animes Roy, 35. Rani, 30. Bikash, 5. Nobin, 3.
P 97 Sajib Roy, 28, farmer, mudworker. Shauni Bala, 25. Krishna, 14, class 4.
P 106 Gopal Roy, 52, farmer. In his arms his grandchild.
P 107 Bina, 29 with her son Mitun, 2.
P 109 Sudha Tigga, 48. Aleonora, 26, Account Assistent. Jancy Barlla, 19, Student at university.
P 111 Sahidul Islam, 45, farmer. Jahanara, 41, is the very important lady with the 100 Dipshika-keys. Jamal, 20. Sumi, 15. Sakila, 8.
P 113 Jaruram, 50, farmer. Sarubala, 45.
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KURT HOERBST Born in Austria in 1972. Having been originally educated in telecommunications, he then turned to photography beginning his studies in Prague in 1992. Kurt founded a school of photography in Austria in 1996 and now teaches history of photography, journalism and he gives lectures at the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences. Publisher of three books and multiple prize winner in this field. Kurt‘s work has enjoyed numerous exhibitions both home and abroad. Over the last years, multimedia projects have been a focal point of his activities. Publications: „Überlebt – Menschenbilder Lagerbilder“ - 1999 „Der schwarze Ritter“ - 2001 „Sommerschnee“ - 2008 WWW.HOERBST.COM
ALEXANDRA GRILL Born 1974, living in Rome, Graz, Roßleithen, Vienna, ... Study of pedagogic and philosophy, then teaching nine years in elementary school. Study of artistic photography at the private college “Prager Fotoschule Österreich” from 2003 to 2006 Different photographical works on portrait, surroundings and reportages (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, …) Single exhibition “über a frau” (about a woman) Windischgarsten, Kirchdorf and Vienna (Austria), Vilnius (Lithuania) Group exhibition “Identity” at Kefermarkt (A) and Prague (Czech Republic) WWW.ALEXANDRAGRILL.COM
THANKS TO Anna Heringer - Studiodesign Prodip Tigga, Sepal Sharma (Dipshikha) - Projectcoordination in Rudrapur - 40 -
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