Blog
Tag Archives: photography
As My Chapter Ends, The Story Continues…
It does not feel like an end. It is just the beginning. That is how I look at my departure from Nablus, from my students, from my coworkers, from Palestine. I may be physically leaving but the work continues. My student’s newfound confidence in their own creativity, in their personal expression and in identity development will now be tested outside of my classroom. We ended this Triple Exposure program on the theme of story. Using the power of a story in discussing change and creating it within our own communities. But the story does not end. My student’s will have the Continue reading…
Story Time with Triple Exposure
As we move into the last theme of our session students express themselves through story. Emerging out of exploring their individual identities into what they define as community, this week they expressed change through their stories. A story is a powerful thing, a necessary tool for successful photography. Author Isabel Allende asks us, “What is truer than the truth? …answer: the story.” With storytelling a certain truth comes out that is lost in the nonfictional books of facts. The story allows emotions to surface that emerge from our own lives. The story not only tells us how or what, but Continue reading…
Nablus turns inside out
On Saturday, 19 youth from Nablus came to the TYO center for a photography workshop. At some point or another all were previous students of the Triple Exposure program and some still are. They came from Balata, Askar, Khallet al-Amood and the greater Nablus area. They came to take pictures and participate in a group project of identity. They came in cliques separated by neighborhood and age. At first the room was quiet as most of these young adults did not previously know each other. We mixed them up into four groups, a mixture of Nabulsi youth ranging in ages from Continue reading…
Reaching Outside of our Walls
Most of the work done here at TYO begins within the walls of our six-story building but translates far beyond into the streets, schools and universities of Nablus. From the physical presence of our murals to the professional development of our women, the impact reverberates outward. Sometimes we start outside. Today I taught my first photography class outside of the Khallet al Amood neighborhood where our center is located. I headed to Balata refugee camp, the largest and most crowded camp in the West Bank. With only four schools serving a population of over 23,000, it is more than crowded. Continue reading…
diversity
As the end of February approaches so does the end of Black History month. From Gordon Parks to Roy Decarava African-American photographers have played a critical role in exposing the civil rights movement and revealing racism in the United States. Not only as photographers themselves but in what they focused their lens on. Revealing a part of America un-discovered and exposed to the rest of the world. These images allow us to relate to those we feel separated from, they expose the in-humanity of violence which is now apart of our history. In the living rooms of America black and white Continue reading…
the power of an image
What better time to talk about the power of an image than now. In today’s world where the image travels with more speed and accessibility than ever before, when its power is magnified by its accessibility – as internet reaches more people the image gains power – it does not need to be translated, its emotional significance is expressed in a couple of seconds and just a glance can make an impact. The image translates across culture, language barriers and borders. It touches a part of us that stirs emotions and meaning while conveying a certain trust. We trust images Continue reading…
Identity: Who are you?
Who are you? What makes up your identity? This question we are forever trying to discover. As humans we are constantly changing due to our surroundings, the passage of time, our experiences and more. Identity is a fluid concept that puts us in a constant process of self-determination. At certain times in our lives this process is more evident, when it takes larger leaps and bounds. We discover what it means to realize who we are, what we want to become and what that means to the world. Often in Middle school(pre-teenage years) this intense, often daunting time begins. When Continue reading…
Creativity Emerging
creativity |ˌkrē-āˈtivitē| noun.the use of the imagination or original ideas, esp. in the production of an artistic work.Thesaurus: inventiveness, imagination, innovation, innovativeness, originality, individuality; artistry, inspiration, vision; enterprise, initiative, resourcefulness. (Oxford American Dictionary) What is creativity and why is it important? Look at the Oxford American Dictionary’s definition, more importantly look at the words associated with it. All of these words are critical for the success of our future, for our students, our workplace and ultimately the development of our world. It seems obvious that we should be teaching creativity in our schools. Our future depends on it. But we are Continue reading…
Ready, set, yalla!
As we prepare for the start of classes we are becoming more and more motivated to create the best possible space for our new students. From curriculum writing to the simple layout of classrooms everything is done with a purpose as we try and meet the psychosocial needs of our students. As an art teacher it is critical that a safe space is created where students feel comfortable enough to take creative risks. Creation is the outcome but the process is really where the work is done. The Triple Exposure program uses two art forms to do this work, the Continue reading…
Can Art Change the World?
Growing up I was confronted with the choice between sports or arts as my extracurricular hobbies. I tried to do both but this only lasted awhile before I burnt out trying to balance two separate worlds. Not only were they separate groups of people but one was valued above the other, sports being the popular form of achievement for my public school. Art was put aside until I finished my academic studies; it was only when the soccer game finished that I picked up my camera. Photography keeps coming back into my life. In high school after finishing most of Continue reading…