British photographer Jason Larkin talks us through his photographic series Cairo Divided which captures middle class-flight from Cairo to the desert
Larkin spent more than two years working with journalist Jack Shenker on Cairo Divided, an ambitious text and photo essay that explores the rapidly changing landscape of Egypt’s sprawling urban capital.
Cairo is going against the tide, moving new building developments from the city centre out into the desert as planners and developers try to reclaim inhospitable land back from nature. Exclusive gated communities, golf courses and shopping developments are appearing as synthetic, urban oasises, signalling an exodus of the wealthy middle classes from the city to the desert. What may follow is possibly the biggest social shake-up in Cairo’s history as the wealthy move out of the city, leaving the impoverished impoverished behind, segregating the classes.
Here, he talks us through a selection of images from Cairo Divided which is currently being exhibited as part of Brighton Photo Biennale 2012.
Brighton Photo Biennale runs 6 October-4 November. Visit bpb.org.uk for more information
All images taken from Cairo Divided by Jason Larkin
