Public Story
Nairobi
The land upon which I stand today, it has a history that runs deeper than I can fathom. What tales does it hold in its soil, and how have these narratives shaped the lives of its inhabitants? These are the questions that fuel my daily explorations, urging me to walk long distances, roam through neighborhoods, and seek out the unfamiliar. In doing so, I hope to forge a connection with the world at large and also within Kenya and Nairobi in particular.
My quest is a perpetual one, guided by an insatiable curiosity for the unfamiliar. Instead of waiting for strangeness to find me, I have chosen to pursue it actively. Armed with my camera, I observe keenly, capturing moments and scenes that strike me as unusual. In every frame, the question looms: why and how? How doesn't Nairobi thrive with its distinctive character, and why doesn't it ? What daily narratives do its inhabitants craft, and why do they do so? The land, I realize, is a constant giver, nurturing all who walk upon it. Yet, what remains elusive to me is the absence of this nurturing spirit. Thus, my journey begins - a quest for authenticity and its contrasting shades.
This land is undoubtedly ancient, bearing the scars and stories of generations. It has borne witness to suffering, colonization, violence, and wars - events that have indelibly shaped the self-perception of its people. In these images and stories, I find not just answers but an endless wellspring of questions and astonishment. What unfolds in this place and time, including the wanderings of my own body, continues to captivate my thoughts.
So, each day, I traverse the streets and alleys of Nairobi, seeking the extraordinary within the ordinary, chasing strangeness in the familiar, and unearthing the essence of this remarkable city. My journey, a fusion of exploration and contemplation, is an ode to Nairobi's rich history and its ever-evolving present, a tribute to the resilience of its people, and a testament to the endless mysteries yet to be unraveled in this captivating metropolis.
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