I want to Visit you on My Birthday

This project unfolded because my birthday was in the middle of the ongoing coronavirus quarantine. I canceled a get-together. Instead, I went to see my friends and family at theirs. Not that I could go near them. Instead, I photographed them from outside, looking in. I scheduled a time at each location and asked that they stand at their window while I stood in their yards, or on their sidewalk, or across the street. If they lived in a high rise I flew my drone to their window.

The uncertainty has created a heightened sense of gratitude and shared vulnerability. Below are the resulting images and their comments. #touchlessbirthday

Downloadable PDF, Online PDF., on Instagram and Vimeo

Credits: Picture + Sound: Saam Gabbay. Edit: Vadym Shapran. Image Retouching: Erin McChesney. AD + Design: Rafael Macho

Exhibits & Awards

Permanent Collection, International Center of Photography, #ICPConcerned exhibit 2020.

Winner, Curator Selection, Prix De La Photographie Paris, “State of The World.”.

OFFF Festival, Barcelona, “The Choices We Make” limited edition book, how 100 artists around the world have created work confronting the global pandemic.

Speaker, OFF Festival, May 2021

Autry Museum of The American West

Press

Esquire Magazine • LA Times • Shots Magazine • Business Insider

Images

7:55AM, RICHARD

“Honored to be part of this special day for an even more special human with yet an amazing idea with an even more amazing execution. Happy Birthday Sir. Love Richard aka Spotted” –Richard

8:30AM, PAULA

“Beach, I miss you.” –Paula

8:45AM, ERIN

“This glass is an annoying, yet unfortunately necessary barrier - one that halts a form of gratitude for this unique human’s life. Does he know what my birthday hug would feel like? “ –Erin

9:00AM, ERICA

"I've never had this much time to just be, and it feels wonderful.” –Erica

9:30AM, OLE

“It's not easy being difficult” –Ole

9:50AM, KATHLEEN

“I was reminded of the movie The Swimmer with Burt Lancaster based on the John Cheever short story. “ –Kathleen

10:10AM, ERIC + ELIAH

“We love you, Saam. Thanks for bringing your birthday celebration to all of us!” –Eric + Eliah

10:30AM, PATRICK + DANIELA

“Darling, there’s a Homunculus in the garden!!” –Patrick + Daniela

11:00AM, SPENCER

“This man wanted to see his quarantined friends on his birthday. What happened next will shock you.” –Spencer

SPENCER POV

11:45AM, 405 FREEWAY @ SUNSET

Facing south.

11:30AM, DAVID + FARNAZ + JACOB + JARED

“Saam thinks outside the box. Once again he was outside the box and his friends and family were in their boxes. Surreal.” –David

12:00PM, MADELEINE + FEREYDOON

“Empathy and Gratitude: When the pandemic and economic crisis subside , a new legitimate authority will emerge and it will no longer be based on faith , force or money . But rather on empathy . The faster we do it the faster the pandemic will go away . What do you think my dearest Saam ? Don t you think we should manage the world in a much more empathetic, consideration and caring way . . Love you” –Madeleine

12:30PM, AFSHIN + KIKA + LUNA

“Thanks, China.” –Afshin, Kika & Luna

1:00PM, JOUBIN + TIFFANY + PALOMA + EVAN

“So happy to see another human. Especially someone on their actual birthday” –Tiffany + Joubin

1:30PM, HAMID + NAHID

“Very unusual to be in a luxury prison for such a long time. Documenting it( by Saam) was an absolute highlight. Thanks.” –Hamid & Nahid

2:00PM, MOM + DAD

“We are in isolation, but all interconnected. “ –Mom & Dad

2:30, FARA + NORA

“Windows 20.” - Fara & Nora

2:45PM, THE LIST

A few locations shift by a bit, but the overall schedule is working.

3:00PM, JOACHIM + AMANDA

“We’re all on the inside looking out. Thanks for coming by and looking in. HBD, Saam!” –Joachim & Amanda

3:30PM. NILOU + SOPHIA + BEN + (NAVID)

“For your birthday, you gave us a gift: to see ourselves through your creative, talented and insightful eyes. We love you, Saam” –Nilou

4:00PM, SOHAIL

“Wishing for the world to get well soon. Happy birthday Saam” –Sohail

4:30PM, RALUCA

“Standing in front of my window and having my picture taken from the outside while quarantined, I felt peace when I would normally feel tension. An understanding of connection and commonality of all humans. The joy of a familiar face was a great gift you offered on your very own birthday. Thank you.” –Raluca

5:00PM, HOMA

“One Hundred Years of Solitude” –Homa

5:30PM, GOLI + JADEN + GABRIELLA

"You were imaginative to create art on your quarantine birthday and seeing you (for those eight minutes) was the most fun part of the day!“ –Goli

6:00PM, DELARAM

“A Saturn, dreaming of being a Mercury” –Delaram

DEBBIE POV

6:30PM, DEBBIE

“i wished i could properly give you a hug on your birthday but instead you made me smile from the outside in.” –Des

6:55PM, WEST HOLLYWOOOD

Looking east at DTLA

7:00PM MATHEW

“E.T. phone home ... on second thought, E.T. take me with you.” –Mathew

7:15PM, WEST HOLLYWOOD

Looking west at Santa Monica

7:45PM, DAVE

““The wine bottle was not staged” –Dave

8:30PM, ANONYMOUS

I personally want to view this time as one which forced a shift in priorities for the whole world. Isolation has a way of teaching us each how much we actually depend on others: for comfort, for income, for entertainment, for validation, for nurturing, etc. No man is an island. Hopefully this time will help us all learn to support each other with greater empathy. I love how empowered and determined you were to do this project and to feel connected to the ones you love despite obvious challenges and difficulties. Thank you for connecting us as your community. We need you as much as you need us.” - Anonymous

9:00PM, DTLA

View from Anonymous’s window in Pasadena

“Wishing you health and connection. See you soon.” – Saam

#touchlessbirthday