Hidden In Plain Experience
By Aiden Habboub
By Aiden Habboub
This is a collection of portrait photography and their accompanying interviews that explores the personal narratives of people whose experiences shape the places they inhabit. Separate from borders, language, or culture, seemingly ordinary locations hold the experiences that define our lives, our history, and the environments around us.
Thank you to everyone who has supported this project
Special Thanks To
Rosely Bundy Travel Fund to East Asia,
Noriko Sugimori,
Richard Koenig,
All of my generous participants
“When my daughter was 9, one evening after school she didn’t return on the regular bus home. I remember feeling so afraid, and the relief I had when I saw her at the end of this street. She had missed the stop and had to wait for the bus to circle back.”
Toyama 富山市
“I’ve brought my children here many times when they were growing up. They used to be afraid of the statues. There are many of them and some are quite large, but I remember watching over the years as they slowly grew larger than this one.”
Toyama 富山市
“After becoming an adult I switched careers many times. I remember after one job, sitting on this river bank twenty years ago totally at a loss; thinking what should I do from now on? My mother happened to be out walking the dog and sat down with me. I remember the scenery well and feeling so uplifted by our conversation. I still run by this river every morning. It’s my home.”
Osaka 大阪市
“50 years ago I failed the prefectural high school exam & entered Toyama Dai-ichi High School. I wasn't sure what to do in life, both my parents were teachers. I couldn't argue with the question: Why shouldn’t I become a teacher? During this time I remember the time I spent on this train going to school and watching the scenery of students getting on and off.”
Toyama 富山市
“I don't have any positive memories of Japan. I came here with my husband not able to speak or read any Japanese. I was completely trapped. Eventually after learning how to speak from tv shows, anime, and the news I divorced my husband and managed to find work here.”
Osaka 大阪市
“I used to work for a shopping mall in Sendai, it was hard work. I was stuck in the office and unhappy. I wanted to work somewhere I could talk to more people and be friends with the people I worked with. I moved back to Osaka and started work here, I get to meet a lot more people and get to enjoy the time with the people I work with.”
Osaka 大阪市
