On My Radar: NYC Bridge Project & People Giving A Shit

 

Hyperlocal election coverage and citizen journalism was at an all time high in the days leading up to and after this year’s historic presidential election. For many, this was an opportunity to document a part of history from their own perspective and to share it with the world through twitter feeds, blogs, and cellphone videos that were posted on the internet within minutes of the results.

Other citizen journalists had been preparing for the historic day and were anticipating the opportunity to put plans of content aggregation in action.

NYC Bridge Project co-founders Bashira Webb and Danny Peralta took their students to Harlem on November 4th to photograph local residents who were voting – many for the first time – and to record their stories for a multimedia project entitled “Election ’08: Voices of Harlem” that will soon be available to view on Current TV.

Webb and Peralta’s work culminates a year of collaborative effort between themselves, their students, and the International Center of Photography (ICP) who awarded the grant in early 2007. These Bronx residents were committed to teaching photography skills and providing mentorship opportunities to local youth who are desire to document their world, through their eyes.
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My Week: All Sorts of “Pics” in the Bronx, Black Betty, Pool Parties & The Ting Tings!

– Naima, lead singer of Chewing Pics

Stop Bitching that the Bronx is Far

This past Thursday evening I left work and headed to my friend Bashira’s exhibition at the Bruckner Gallery in the Bronx.

Yes, the Bronx is far. Everyone always talks about how far away it is and how there is nothing to do there. I was also one of those people, truth be told. One time I went to the Bronx in 2004, got lost, got traumatized and then never went back.

But I like to prove myself wrong now and again and if I let distance keep me from fun I would still be in California complaining that I had nothing to do.

I am really glad I went to this event because I learned more about my friend and experienced great art and music (for free). Also, the 6 train is really not as serious as it used to be, just bring a book. You’ll be fine.

About Departure

Bashira’s art was part of a group show of five photographers who met 5 years ago at The Point, a community arts organization in Hunts Point. She was part of the Jocelyne Benzakin Fellowship program at the International Center for Photography (ICP), where she had access to respected photojournalists, editors and agents. Bashira is a talented photographer who enjoys documenting the world around her, musicians, communities and friends. She is a co-founder of the NYC BRiDGE Project, which teaches young people in neighborhoods where photography is not celebrated and photographic education is limited.

Chewing Pics = Inspiration

Bashira introduced me to Chewing Pics, an experimental rock band that she loves and who contributed to the exhibition Thursday evening.

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