The theme for this year's feast of pictorial observations, which is open to all, is “Home Sweet Street”, an investigation of the various interpretations of street photography. These can be historical documents, political propaganda, files for personal memories as works of art, as fact, as metaphor, as poetry – there is no one interpretation.
Abdul Dube, photographer, designer and one of the founding members of the MOPP collective sums up the philosophy behind it: “Month of Peoples Photography is the power of simplicity, where less is more. Less ambition, more passion. Fewer rules, more creativity. Less I, more We. It is a journey of returning to our core values and re-learning how to collaborate."
This visual event, which is already in its fourth year, revolves around MOPP's social formula of an opening exhibition followed by a showcasing of local, independent photographers in the café circuit of Cape Town. This will mark debut exhibitions for many photographers, forming part of MOPP's mission to extend the art of photography and the platform of social commentary to people outside the binding realms of established and often exclusive outlets for photographers.
The opening exhibition and party promises a soundtrack of local artists including a live band performance by Bastille, as well as DJs realROZZANO, Niskerone and Miss H, and has drawn audiences of over 500 at past MOPP exhibitions. The opening night also launches the MOPP circuit map which details the participating cafes and restaurants at which the public can view participating photographers' works. The café circuit exhibition runs for until 22 March.
This year MOPP has added a special feature to the event. An Open Wall will be constructed upon which all visitors to the exhibition are encouraged to bring any number of photographs (printed, photocopied or whatever form you choose) to display on the wall. The subject of your photograph(s) could be one that complements the “Home Sweet Street” theme, a copy of a cherished family picture or a photograph of a photograph you like.
“What always amazes me is the remarkable development that such a burst of creative energy can generate. For example, this year's event has yielded a growing connection with Iziko Museums of Cape Town, resulting in the opportunity to work together to offer photography workshops. And there is an ever-growing number of photographers from all walks of life actively working together to make MOPP happen,” says Francois Raubenheimer, a software programmer by day, a creative image seeker after hours and one of the core MOPP founders who drives the initiative.
For more information about MOPP and the collective, go to http://nativesoul.blogspot.com.
