ABC No Rio Gallery
156 Rivington Street, New York, NY
A Photography Exhibition and Auction for the Architecture for Humanity/WorldChanging.com Tsunami Reconstruction Appeal opens tonight.
One month after the Indian Ocean tsunami, an exhibition and auction of photography of South East Asia opens on New York's Lower East Side to raise funds for reconstruction projects in countries affected by the disaster.
Spice, named to evoke the diversity of cultures and the variety of contributors involved, is hosted at the art and activism collective, ABC No Rio, to raise money for Architecture for Humanity. Architecture for Humanity is the registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crises and brings design services to communities in need.
Reflecting personal connections to the events of December 26, 2004, Spice organizers invited contributors to submit images that celebrate the life and people of India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kenya, Somalia, The Seychelles, Maldives, Nicobar and Andaman Islands. Broadening insight into the region's vitality, prints of Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Singapore and Malaysia have also been accepted.
This group show harnesses the creativity, international outlook and collective spirit of compassionate globetrotters, and of professional and amateur photographers from all over the world. Hundreds of photographers from across the United States, from India,Sri Lanka, Denmark, Russia and the United Kingdom have responded energetically to this word-of-mouth call for entries.
This anonymous exhibition features prints from many Magnum photographers including Burt Glinn, Steve McCurry, Susan Meiselas, and Martin Parr. Film-maker Francis Ford Coppola, architects Future Systems and Lebbeus Woods, National Geographic photographer, David Alan Harvey and "Ancient Marks" photographer, Chris Rainier have also contributed alongside Here is New York coordinator, Charles Traub, director of Oscar-nominated "Born into Brothels" and Kids with Cameras founder, Zana Briski, and Bridges for Understanding activist, Amanda Koster.
Over two weeks from Thursday January 27th, the exhibition organizers are taking bids for these prints at ABC No Rio in an ongoing auction until the show moves to The Carriage House Center on Wednesday, February 9th, for a final night of bidding at the closing party where the identity of the photographers will be revealed, a number of whom will be in attendance. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to Architecture for Humanity and its current building projects in South East Asia.
Spice was developed by New York-born photographer, Jennifer MacFarlane, who was compelled to contribute to tsunami relief efforts, having backpacked and photographed her way around South East Asia for six months.
She says,"Spice has tuned into an urge to come together and express sympathy for what happened and toinform what happens next as people there reconstruct places to live, their lives and livelihoods."
She learned about Architecture for Humanity from a newspaper article, and approached its' founder Cameron Sinclair about her plans. He committed his support immediately and introduced her to Architecture for Humanity - New York, the regional chapter headed by Marc Pittsley, Jason Buchheit and Sarika Bajoria. MacFarlane had already mobilized the photography community and friends at ABC No Rio. Extending her network to Magnum, where she had once been an intern, MacFarlane has been greatly encouraged by its members' support and enthusiasm for Spice. The world-renowned photographers' collective continues to chronicle the world and interpret its peoples, events, issues andpersonalities as it has done since 1947. Spice fits that mission perfectly.
Once the show completes its run in February, MacFarlane would like to document the exhibition in a book. She is already actively seeking a publisher.
For information on Spice please contact:
JENNIFER MacFARLANE
+1.646.249.3855
spice (at) architectureforhumanity.org
For Information on Architecture for Humanity and its' tsunami reconstruction work, please contact:
CAMERON SINCLAIR
+1.646.756.0906
cameron (at) architectureforhumanity.org
Architecture for Humanity is a five year old non-profit organization that seeks architecture solutions to humanitarian crises and brings design services to communities in need. Its tsunami reconstruction appeal is partnered with WorldChanging.com. Currently it is leading projects in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and South Africa, including the building of educational amd medical facilities.
Magnum Photos, the photographers'collective was founded in 1947 by photographers Robert Capa, Henri Cartier-Bression, George Rodger and David "Chim" Seymour to reflect their independent natures as people and photographers. This idiosyncratic mix of reporter and artist continues to define Magnum, emphasizing not only what is seen but also the way one sees it.
The Carriage House Center, a not-for-profit foundation and meeting place, promotes sustainable development as the most practical way to resolve the devastating conflict between economic development and environmental protection.
149 East 38th Street, New York, NY
Closing Event: 7-10pm, Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005
ABC No Rio is a collectively-run center for art and activism,founded in 1980 by artists committed to political and social engagement. With these values, it continues to facilitate cross-pollination between artists and activists,providing a place for people to share resources and ideas to impact society, culture, and community.
156 Rivington Street, New York, NY
Open Tues & Thurs 5-7pm and Sunday 1-3pm
