Featuring: Alejandro Olivas, Armando Geneyro, Bethany Mollenkof, Briana Vargas, Dazmon Yates, Edward Gia, Evelyn Martinez, Francely Flores, Hari Priya Vangaru, Heather Lynch, Jay Brunson, Jeremy Jude Lee, Lemia Monet Bodden, Lexi Parra, Luvia Lazo, Lucy Baptiste, Maia Hadfield, Measu Bellay, Michael De Los Santos, Monica Patten, Ramona Jingru Wang, Rubini Naidu, Sara Konradi, Sarai Garcia, Simrah Farrukh, Stella Kalinina, Timothy Kwon, Tom McGovern, Twinkle Banerjee, Vilerx Perez, Wini Lao
As photography fragments and evolves, Cafecito: A Proclamation of Presence celebrates photographers & photographic makers who boldly proclaim their stories through their own visual language. We honor past reclamation work, yet this is not about recovering lost narratives: it’s about asserting presence, power, and possibility in the now. While AI and technology reshape image-making, the photographers in this exhibition demonstrate why human connection in photography grows increasingly vital.
Their work reveals how visual storytelling, despite its evolving forms, continues to weave threads of understanding between communities, generations, and cultures. Through layers of meaning, each image becomes a proclamation of identity, community, and the enduring power of human perspective. The exhibition features 31 image-makers who have participated in Cafecito’s 1:1 sessions and highlights selected series of work that declare and create a foundation for the future as photography evolves.
Throughout the exhibition, mirrors placed among photographs invite visitors to see themselves in this visual conversation. The interactive space asks, “Share a moment that deserves to be captured and remembered,” encouraging visitors to participate in this proclamation of presence. By reflecting on what deserves to be seen, we collectively assert the importance of human perspective in visual storytelling during this pivotal moment of technological transformation.
Organizations
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VSCO
VSCO is a complete photography platform—editing tools, portfolio sites, client workflows, and community—that helps photographers hone their craft, grow their network, and build a photography business on their terms.
Whether they’re landing their first paid gig or growing an established practice, VSCO champions photographers at every stage of the journey. Their mission is simple: to close the gap between the creative life photographers want and the confidence, tools, and community they need to make it real.
VSCO—Where photographers turn pro.
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Fresh Mercado
Fresh Mercado is a visual culture platform translating creative intelligence for the future of image-making and tastemaking. As photography, design, and image-based media intersect with AI, FM helps professionals, artists, and in-house creative teams understand cultural shifts through writing, forecasting, events, and consulting. It is the home of Cafecito, a free annual 1:1 consulting initiative for visual creatives.
Cafecito: A Proclamation of Presence
Featuring: Various Artists
Curated by: Nicole Motta
Locations
View Location Details Download a detailed map of this location Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza1 Water St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
This location is part of Brooklyn Bridge Park
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Very special thanks to the Cafecito participants, exhibitors, and supporters.
Please see the digital catalogue here: https://www.freshmercado.com/cafecito/proclamation-of-presence
Cafecito is Fresh Mercado’s creative programming and consultancy initiative offering 1:1 sessions and community events for visual practitioners, makers, and innovators. Through personalized conversations and partnerships, it provides industry guidance, portfolio development, creative direction, and professional resources.
The views and opinions expressed in this exhibit are those of the exhibition artists and partners and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Photoville or any other participants and partners of the Photoville Festival.
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