Take a walk around life

Entering our capital city has become an agonising feat. As you go into Valletta from the old gate that is no more, there is the Piano effect on the right and some streets are closed to human traffic. So detours and changes of usual routes detract and annoy, especially in the July heat.

The studies of people from distinct cultures make us forget all our usual ideas of stereotyping- Victor Calleja

My walk into Valletta was all about going to view an exhibition of photos called Walks of Life at the Auberge d’Italie (MTA offices).

The exhibition groups photographers from the Malta Photographic Society and includes 83 exhibits all centred around people from all walks of life and from all countries. Most of the photographers have won awards in various competitions both locally and abroad. And the exhibits more than showcase why –the photos move you, the eyes that are captured in the shots mesmerise you and the whole effect is quite magical.

When you do enter Auberge d’Italie you are awed by the splendour of the Knights’ building. Ironically the first photo I saw was practically the only one of the whole exhibition that does not feature people as its main subject.

It was a moody, greyish photo of a London bridge. The bridge is a most useful and symbolic piece of engineering which usually connects two or more places for ease of travel and communication. And this is an easy metaphor for the exhibition which helps us bridge our prejudices, our misconceptions and our missed communications with whoever is different. The photos depict all different ages, cultures and religions and also give space to people who seem less fortunate than us – the homeless, the poor, the lonely.

The studies of people from distinct cultures make us forget all our usual ideas of stereotyping and we see them all as part of the walk of our life.

This walk, which takes us into different places and countries, makes us nod at the mastery of the lens of these talented photographers who have come up with some haunting scenes of people from all walks of life.

There are some photos with people’s eyes that shock us, captivate us or make us feel happy at what they depict: from the child’s innocence to the beggar’s suffering.

And there are photos of people’s hands which show how meticulous the photographers were: some hands depict happiness through their waving, some depict sorrow and some call out, enticing the viewer or the passer-by to join the caller.

The brochure features a quotation by J. McGill that “people are in many ways one of our greatest treasures” and the exhibition goes on to prove that, yes, people are a real treasure. These six photographers too are a real treasure to have captured people in so many different aspects and to have given us the chance to view their work.

The exhibition runs till Friday and is open from 8 a.m. till 5.15 p.m.