Strathmore Fine Art Presents BUILDING BRIDGES, NOT FENCES
Artists explore journey from darkroom photography to advent of digital image-making and
reveal narratives that photojournalism creates about distant global cultures
NORTH BETHESDA, MD - With Building Bridges, Not Fences, Strathmore explores the technical and conceptual journey of photography from traditional to digital media, through the reinvention of image-making through modern technology. This exhibition also ignites conversation about the aesthetic bridge that photojournalism builds between cultures as masters of the medium transcend borders through their work. The exhibition will be on view in the Mansion at Strathmore from September 24, 2011 to November 5, 2011.
The exhibition also illustrates how photojournalism creates links to international communities through the stirring artwork of Israeli photographers Shay Aloni and Ammar Younis (courtesy of The Umm el-Fahem Gallery), and Cuban photographers Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Enrique de la Uz, Pedro Abascal and Nestor Hernandez.
Daily life in Israel and the relationships between Arabs and Jews is celebrated by photographers Shay Aloni and Ammar Younis. Jewish photographer Aloni depicts Arab elders in their homes. The intimacy of the images underscores the changing cultural and generational relationship between these two groups. Younis's use of donkeys depicts a poignant view of his culture's place in society, and uses his series Donkey Diaries to make a statement that, contrary to prevailing views of Middle Eastern culture, they are as advanced a people as any other. The donkey is a non-polarizing anchor to Younis' heritage, and also a catalyst for discussion about the rapid modernization of Middle Eastern nations. Photographs for this exhibition were obtained through Strathmore's partnership with The Umm el-Fahem Art Gallery in Israel, which uses artwork to promote dialogue and understanding and aesthetic communication between cultures.
10701 Rockville Pike
North Bethesda, MD 20852
www.strathmore.org
(301) 581-5100
Gallery Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.;
Wednesday, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.