A Concrete View

Luar Klinghofer Bar Dov’s photographs explore the viewpoints of Charles Dickens House, the local high-rise of Bethnal Green. A Concrete View raises questions about multiculturalism, identity and belonging in the metropolis of London. This council block’s grim architecture reveals interiors that are perhaps familial or cosy and are certainly personal and unique. The difficulties and beauties of living in this microcosm of the world are brought to the surface in Luar’s first extensive photographic project. She photographed this body of work during five months, after being a resident of Charles Dickens House for almost two years. The project was created as part of her studies of MA Documentary Photography and Photojournalism at University of Westminster, and culminated in a self-published photo-book. What started as a response to the preconceptions surrounding council estates ended up as a personal journey of getting to know her neighbors. The project also exhibited from 16th to 23rd of June 2017 at Oxford House, the local community house of Bethnal Green.