Photoville is FREE outdoor photo exhibition that takes place in the Brooklyn Bridge Park. This year marks the 7th anniversary of the event – in which over 600 artists and 90 exhibitions were showcased. Apart from the photo exhibition, the event also features free panel talks and hand-on workshops for its visitors.

I found it peculiar (in the best way) to see how the exhibitions were mounted in freight cars. Some artists decided to decorate the inside their own way and even add music to give a better vibe to their work. One thing that I found important to highlight about the event is the diversity it presented and its overall topic of immigration and societies undergoing change. All of the artists in Photoville came from different backgrounds and countries around the world. There were men and women, young and old alike, and it was a beautiful thing to see all the different stories told through their lens.

One of the photos that has been stuck with me for a while is this one taken by John Moore from Getty Images. The picture shows a Honduran toddler crying as her mother is searched and detained near the US and Mexico border. Ever since Moore released this picture it has been used in many newspapers and magazines — including the cover of TIME magazine. I am Honduran and also an immigrant, so I am flooded by sadness thinking about the struggle many go through to reach this country because I KNOW why they migrate. I have experienced it myself. The image successfully depicts the pain and uncertainty kids specially go through during these situation as they’re being separated from their parents and how cruel this journey can be.

Overall Photoville was an encounter with many emotions – as I found myself through many of the stories told by those pictures. Civil war, immigration, femininity, coming of age, among others. It was a wonderful experience that I will surely follow through the years to come.

Photoville is a pretty dope experience, I like where the location is being placed and how they used shipping containers as an exhibit. I was surprised like wow, you don’t see that much well I don’t know if they are events are like that. But honestly, this is the first time seeing something like this.

I’m writing while seeing the exhibit booth. I think I enter the back of the Photoville since I saw a number 45 on one of the exhibits. When  I took a couple of steps and I saw this broken mirror, it’s not really a broken mirror but it was a big shatter hole and it grabs attention because there was a reflection. While I was reading the summary, Internal Ballistics, it mentions the beauty of morally fraught objects: bullets. I’m like “Woah! Bullets?” And it also mentions what we know and the culture of guns and understanding of guns. One of the photos in the back grab my attention a lot because how it shows the damage of the broken glass and not just the glass but the contrast is what I like.

One of the booths has this surreal photograph and it shows a human arm where blood coming out on their wrist but the blood is dripping but forming a rose. I love surrealistic art, this is what I call surreal art and I read a mini background about the photo and it touches me and I’m like ouch I felt that. This gives a feel and being able to understand the story and putting yourself in that position.

What I like about Photoville is how organized it is. The booth in numbers, the description of it, also how there’s a brief section of the work and a mini bio about the photographer.  

My experience with Photoville took me to many emotions since every gallery was different in their own unique way. Some showed a documentary some shown objects that we could interact with, and of course, many photos were shown with much different media as well. I mostly liked how strongly the photographers were able to tell their message to the viewers with only one freight container for each exhibit.

I know I couldn’t get a photo for one of the exhibit, but there was one which was showcasing the photography work from the High School I went to. Including the same high school, my older sister went to.  It was High School of Art & Design and High School of Fashion Industries which had an exhibit together. Honestly, it gave me a sense of nostalgia for me since I and sister would be filled with such an amazing time in our high school years. It was a good feeling having to know that both high schools are still doing an excellent work on the art majors they have.

Another exhibit I found very interesting was The Wall Exhibit by Griselda San Martin.  This exhibit has gotten me to know more about the border wall that was built for the separation of Mexico and the United States of America. This has brought me tears of both happiness and sadness especially since my family is from Mexico and I have been told many stories of the struggles of crossing the border and how it was there only hope in order to have a better life. However in what Griselda san Martin had done which a project where she wanted to build an experience where people can interact with each other and try to neutralize everyone. It was warming feeling when there where photos were taken of people talking to each other through the wall. The only sad feeling it has brought me was the feeling of separation of hopes and dreams and family connections which will always be the main problem that the wall has caused.

Photoville was definitely an interesting experience. First of all, the location and set up is beautiful. I love the idea of going into each of these separate trailers and entering a new, immersive photo exhibit. Something that I was very fond of was the representation of people of color. Museums and exhibits have always lacked content from artists of color. But Photoville felt very new and refreshing, in this aspect.

Something that I also looked forward to was the “Altar” exhibit. As someone of Puerto Rican descent, its pretty dope to see something that is very prevalent in my culture celebrated through photos. The photos celebrated what I assumed was Yoruba religion, and even had an altar set up. I liked the idea of immersing people in this sacred space, something that lots of people have never experienced.

I also loved the photos of life in NYC. They definitely captured the essence of this city.

As of lately, I’ve been super into tintype photos. So I was very excited when I saw that they were offering tintype portraits at Photoville. But it was $85 for a 4 x 5 portrait, so I decided to pass. Maybe next time though!

These are two of my favorite photos from Photoville:

I love the first one because of the mood it invokes. The contrast of the cool and warm tones, and the shadows in all the right places. It’s just a beautiful photo, of a couple in a powerful embrace.

The second photo was definitely my favorite. I love the use of lights and darks. It contrasts greatly, just like the subject matter. The photo has a sensual feel to it, which contrasts with the religious subject matter in the forefront.

Photoville is known for their outdoor photo exhibitions. They also provide workshops, talks, and education day for middle/ high school students. Each exhibition is in a small room that you’re able to transition from one concept to another within a few steps.  Most exhibitions were produced with photographs but some portrayed their message without photographs. For example, the internal ballistics that used mirrored material to show gun violence. It was successful to myself since it imitates the number of gun shots that an individual or object receives. (img 1) Then there was other exhibitions that I was able to travel to Korea and observer their city landscape, Mexico’s border and China’s streets.

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The exhibition that caught my attention and found very interesting was the “Scenes Unseen: The Summer of ‘78”. In 1978 it might have been normal for people to be surrounded with graffiti everywhere. Looking back, it seems awkward and weird to see graffiti on parks property. Especially Flushing Meadow Park that attracts many tourists. (img 2)

 (Img 2)

Daniele Volpe captured a delicate moment which conveys the message that she intended to. By looking at the photograph, it makes you feel as if your in the picture. The image shows perspective and the tombs make the diagonal lines to the vanishing point. (img 3)

 (Img 3)

Out of all the photos from “People of the Ferry”, this photo caught my attention me due to its color, composition, angle and focus. The color is a vibrant yellow and the guy being the main subject. The typography on jacket makes the jacket stand out as well. If it was a guy with a yellow jacket, I would see it as a usual picture that I see on my Instagram feed. (img 4) 

 (Img 4)

The photographer that I choose is Blair Bunting. Who is known for athletes photography, auto photography, filming Super Bowl commercials, and more. This photo caught my attention because the photo shows the NFL player where the figure shows in motion, running towards the football to kick it. And this a good photo because of the composition, where my eyes go left to right. This makes me feel going with the flow cause of the wavy lines and blurry motion and this photo is a long exposure, where the shutter speed has a long duration.

I found this photograph heart-warming since it does tell a lovely gesture we can relate to when we are with a significant other. The way the hand is gestured gives alot of sense of how it feels to be loved. I would call this photograph powerful since it gives a straight up story with a message that we all can sense on how it is to be loved.

Joey Lawrence has a very intriguing body of work. Lawrence takes portraits of people from different countries, and explores their culture and character through photos. His photos are taken in such a way that they empower the subject of the photo. Taken from specific angles, and with paying close detail to composition as well, he creates some incredibly strong visuals.

Something that Lawrence also takes into consideration is the role of the environment in the photo. He chooses to take photos in areas that have cultural relevancy to its subject. Some photos were taken in East Asia, where importance is placed on the ocean. I chose this photo of a Mexican man in an Agave field. It can be inferred that this man harvests Agave nectar, he is surrounded by the plant and wears the traditional uniform. He is placed in the frame in such a way that, he is important, strong, and empowered. The Agave leaves break some spaces in the photo in a way that is very effective. The color palette creates a dreamlike tone that looks like a still from a film. Overall, very beautiful and powerful work.