Gallery M
2830 E. Third Ave., Denver CO 80206 | Map
Private Patron's Opening: June 11, 5 pm - 7:30 pm
Media Preview: June 12, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Public opening: June 14, 4 pm - 6 pm
Exhibit open through July 13
Posted 9:57AM on Friday, May 09, 2008 Pacific Time Neal Baer, co-creator of The House is Small but the Welcome is Big, recently spoke at the University of Southern California on the topic of using storytelling as a tool for social advocacy. Drawing on his experience as physician, television producer, filmmmaker, and co-creator of the project's work in Africa, Baer shared his perspective on what makes storytelling such an important part of his work in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS.
"Stories are our life force -- our continuity with each other," Baer said. "The way you tell your story isn’t important -- it’s that you tell it. Tell it and your story will change someone’s life. Someone will hear it and not get infected. Tell your story and you will change the world."
Baer noted that while infection rates differ across various regions of the world, HIV/AIDS presents global consequences. Storytelling helps give shape to the global nature of the disease, and works to shift public attitudes. Influencing the public will helps organize responses to disease-spreading behavior and develop more effective treatments in fighting the disease.
Baer challenged his audience to embrace storytelling as a way to influence public opinion and be an effective social activist.
"You don’t have to be a doctor to tell stories about HIV and AIDS -- or about any social issue that stirs you, moves you," he said. "Each of you can reflect on why you came today -- what private, personal story compelled you to come here? Whatever the reason, it’s a good one. And each of you can draw on whatever personal story that made you come here and turn it into a public story, to be shared with others, to motivate others to learn and to take action."
Carlos Litulo Photographer Mozambican Photography Association
Posted 8:45AM on Thursday, August 16, 2007 Pacific Time
You know, it was a unique opportunity to work on a project like this. I remember when Thierry from UNICEF contacted us. I didn't understand the full dimension of the project at that time. When Tomas contacted Jim to find out more, he told Tomas to check the project website for information. I looked it up and when I saw it, I said whoa this is a huge project. At that moment, I forgot about everything and wanted to be involved in the project. I have been working in so many projects like this, but this one is different because it is involving special kids, orphans. Also it was important to me because I had the opportunity to work with people from a different culture, with different knowledge and different skills. So I've learned a lot. I would be happy to see the kids getting involved in photography much deeper like I saw here. What was amazing was they cope so very well with the digital format.
Posted 8:37AM on Thursday, August 16, 2007 Pacific Time
Para mim o workshop foi muito interessante porque aprendi muita coisa relaccionada com a fotografia e nao so, fiz muitos amigos, aprendi e ensinei o pouco que ate hoje sei.
Durante duas semanas terei muitas fofos, entrevistei algumas criancas orfas da associacao reecontro que participaram nom workshop, oque foi bom para mim porque conheci as suas estorias, o seu dia-a-dia e mais.
Sendo eu uma fazedora de programas infantis de radio saberei como comunicar os ouvintes sobre os problems que dizem respeito a todos e que afectam na sua maioria as criancas caso concreto da grande doenca que e o SIDA que deixa muitas criancas orfas como estas que comigo participaram no workshop, criancas estas que de certeza tem e terao uma historia para contar, saom responsaveis de familias com os seus 17,18 anos.
Gostaria que esta iniciativa nao parase por aqui porque no futuro teremos grandes-pequenos fotografos.
Translation from Portuguese to English:
For me, the workshop was very interesting because I learned a lot of things related with photography and not only that, I have made so many new friends. I learned and I taught the little I know until today up to now. During these two weeks, I took so many photographs and interviewed a few orphans from Reencontro who took part in the workshop. It was good for me because I had the opportunity to review their stories.
Working for children's radio, I feel I now know more how to communicate to my audience and tell them about the problems that affect most of these kids, who in this case, lost their parents through AIDS, which has made so many orphans so far. For the kids who participated in this workshop, I believe these kids who are 17 or 18 years old and who are responsible for taking care of their families have a great opportunity to tell their own stories in the first person.
I would be so glad if this initiative should continue. If so, in the future we will have great young photographers.
I want my kids to have warm shelter, bright future and good education. My family to accept me. I want to own a house, to be independent, have a good job so I can raise my children -- to educate them.
