Most developed countries have sprawling, well-funded repositories of records. Even small developing nations such as Guinea-Bissau and Palau maintain modest national archives. But what about groups like the Kurds that fall between the cracks of officially recognized nations, people living in places shattered by conflict, whose culture and history are excluded from the prevailing narrative?
This is a story about preserving the history of stateless people. It takes place in some of the world’s most unstable places, and is told by those who have dedicated their lives to saving the stories of their unrecognized homelands. Our reporting and photography concentrate on regular people who take it upon themselves to become the guardians of a nation’s memories. They are librarians, religious leaders, academics, and ordinary citizens. And they are on the front lines of a quiet but crucial battle over history and memory.
Artist Bios
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Diana Markosian
Diana Markosian is at the forefront of a new generation of photographers and directors pushing the boundaries of documentary storytelling. By encapsulating different styles and mediums, Markosian has created a unique approach to image making. Her first monograph, Santa Barbara, was published by Aperture and selected as the top book of the year by the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Time. Markosian has exhibited in leading museums worldwide, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the International Center of Photography in New York, and the National Portrait Gallery in London. She is a regular contributor to Vanity Fair, Vogue, and The New Yorker. Markosian holds a master’s degree from Columbia University.
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Emily Garthwaite
Emily Garthwaite is a photojournalist, writer, and storyteller focusing on environmental and humanitarian stories. Garthwaite’s work weaves together themes of shared humanity, displacement, and coexistence with the natural world. She is a Leica ambassador and fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and holds a master’s degree in documentary photography and photojournalism from the University of Westminster. Garthwaite’s work has been recognized by Forbes 30 Under 30, Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Ville de Perpignan Rémi Ochlik Visa d’Or Award, Goldziher Prize, Covering Climate Now Journalism Awards, Prix Photo Terre Solidaire, and the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, along with being nominated for other prestigious awards. She has exhibited her work internationally, including at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland; EXPO 2020 and Xposure Festival in Dubai; Visa Pour l’Image and Palais Royal in France; and at Leica Mayfair Gallery, South Bank Centre, Somerset House, and the Natural History Museum in the United Kingdom. Her photographs have been published in National Geographic, the New York Times, Smithsonian Magazine, the Washington Post, Der Spiegel, Le Figaro, and GEO, among others. Her writing has been published by GEO and Suitcase and is featured in the Best of British Travel Writing.
Organizations
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National Geographic
Representing the largest brand on social media with over 780 million followers and 1.1 billion impressions each month, National Geographic Content’s award-winning and critically acclaimed storytelling inspires fans of all ages to connect with, explore, and care about the world through factual storytelling. National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, reaches over 532 million people worldwide in 172 countries and 33 languages as a digital, social, and print publisher and across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Established in 1888, National Geographic is a trusted print and digital publication that creates visually stunning, richly reported photojournalism and distinguished, impartial coverage of the globe’s most pressing issues. Visit nationalgeographic.com and natgeotv.com or explore Instagram, Threads, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Reddit.
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NYC Parks
NYC Parks is the steward of more than 30,000 acres of land — 14 percent of New York City — including more than 5,000 individual properties ranging from Coney Island Beach and Central Park to community gardens and Greenstreets. We operate more than 800 athletic fields and nearly 1,000 playgrounds, 1,800 basketball courts, 550 tennis courts, 65 public pools, 51 recreational facilities, 15 nature centers, 14 golf courses, and 14 miles of beaches. We care for 1,200 monuments and 23 historic house museums. We look after 600,000 street trees, and two million more in parks. We are New York City’s principal providers of recreational and athletic facilities and programs. We are home to free concerts, world-class sports events, and cultural festivals.
Rescuing History
Featuring: Diana Markosian Emily Garthwaite
Locations
View Location Details Washington Street and Prospect StreetWashington Street and Prospect Street
DUMBO, Brooklyn 11201
Location open 24 hours
Read the story here: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/kurdistan-somaliland-kosovo-history-archives
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.
