Memento is a diptych portrait series based on the #MeToo movement that Rachel Wisniewski has been working on since October 2017. Wisniewski looked specifically to focus on the millions of stories of sexual misconduct that go unreported and unnoticed by the media.
The first image within each diptych is a current portrait of a survivor, and the second image is of the survivor holding a photograph of herself at the age when she can first remember being harassed or assaulted.
The definition of the word memento is “an object kept as a reminder or souvenir of a person or event.”
Coincidentally, memento has the word “men” in the center, with “me” and “to” framing it.
Artist Bios
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Rachel Wisniewski
Rachel Wisniewski is an independent photojournalist and writer based in Philadelphia, USA.
Her work often explores stories at the intersections of community, identity and trauma—including topics that personally affect her, such as Jewish identity, hearing loss, and the #MeToo movement. She has six years of professional experience and is a regular contributor to publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and more.
Wisniewski was a Gwen Ifill Fellow through the International Women’s Media Foundation in 2020, and was a mentee in The Center at the Anderson Ranch, led by Ed Kashi and Jim Estrin, from 2020-2022. She received a grant from National Geographic Society in 2021, and grants from the International Women’s Media Foundation and the Solutions Journalism Network in 2022. In 2023, she had ten photographs acquired by the Library of Congress.
Beyond photography, Wisniewski is passionate about volunteering, reading, and food. When she doesn’t have a camera in her hands, it’s probably because she’s eating pizza.
Organizations
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Photoville
Founded in 2011 in Brooklyn, NY, Photoville was built on the principles of addressing cultural equity and inclusion, which we are always striving for, by ensuring that the artists we exhibit are diverse in gender, class, and race.
In pursuit of its mission, Photoville produces an annual, city-wide open air photography festival in New York City, a wide range of free educational community initiatives, and a nationwide program of public art exhibitions.
By activating public spaces, amplifying visual storytellers, and creating unique and highly innovative exhibition and programming environments, we join the cause of nurturing a new lens of representation.
Through creative partnerships with festivals, city agencies, and other nonprofit organizations, Photoville offers visual storytellers, educators, and students financial support, mentorship, and promotional & production resources, on a range of exhibition opportunities.
For more information about Photoville visit, www.photoville.com
Memento
Featuring: Rachel Wisniewski
Locations
View Location Details Download a detailed map of this location Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza1 Water St
Brooklyn, NY 11201
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