I initiated “The New Americans” project to explore the new immigrant experience — people that decided to come to the USA from the 1960s onward. They portray the bravery it takes to pick up and leave one’s homeland no matter what period of time. Although current modes of transportation have improved, the undertaking of immigration remains filled with challenges.
A three-dimensional glasshouse was made from windows, their distressed exteriors echoing the hardship of what it means to be an immigrant. This structure shares the ghostlike fragility of the glass panels that support portraits created using wet-plate collodion, a 150 year-old photographic technique. Collodion reinforces the precarious nature of immigration itself.
Artist Bios
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Jill Enfield
Jill Enfield is a fine art photographer, educator, curator and author. Her concentration is historical techniques and alternative processes, with annual workshops and lectures in locations around the world.
Her two books: Photo Imaging: A Complete Guide To Alternative Processes was published by Watson-Guptill in 2002 and Jill Enfield’s Guide to Photographic Alternative Processes: Popular Historical and Contemporary Techniques was published by Focal Press in 2013, both are both award winning works and used in schools all over the world. Jill’s third book has a 2019 publication date by Focal Press. Like the others, it will include step-by-step instructions on a variety of historical and alternative process techniques.
Jill’s work has also been chosen to be on book covers as well as magazines and websites. She has shown her work throughout the USA and Europe and recently had a three month solo show where her Glasshouses of New Americans installation was exhibited at Photoville NYC which was covered in The New York Times..
A 3-minute project concept video, Jill Enfield Ellis Island Installation, is available on YouTube.
Organizations
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United Photo Industries (UPI)
United Photo Industries (UPI) is a New York based nonprofit organization that works to promote a wider understanding of, and increased access to, the art of photography.
Since its founding in 2011, UPI has rapidly solidified its position in the public art landscape by continuing to showcase thought-provoking, challenging, and exceptional photography from across the globe. In its first seven years, UPI has presented the work of more than 2,500 visual artists in gallery exhibitions and public art installations worldwide.
Glasshouse of Immigrants
Featuring: Jill Enfield
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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