As the world’s most locked-down city struggled through over 240 days of heavy restrictions — with limited time outside, and scarce options to learn and play for the kids — everyone needed to find their own way to keep going. Small things, small wins — like making a space helmet for your child fascinated by the night sky. And a suit. It’s too bad that the novelty of a costume doesn’t last. Stories, however, seem to have worked since forever. So we took the costume and went looking for stories. With a little imagination, stories can be found anywhere — be it a 5-kilometer travel limit, or your bedroom. The phone booth, or a laundry. These analogue photographs are the memories from the stories we found. The lockdown has now ended. We’ll outgrow the costume. But the time spent together exploring and imagining is one special gift to keep.
Artist Bios
-
Andrew Rovenko
Andrew Rovenko was born and raised in Ukraine, and has now called Australia home for over 17 years. He is currently based in Melbourne.
For Rovenko, photography has always been a passion but never became a career. A stint as a freelance magazine photographer and a variety of commercial assignments over the years provided invaluable skills and experience, but could never match the fun and freedom of not having to work towards a specific goal.
This eventually led to doing personal work, primarily on film, where the joy of craftsmanship can be experienced the most.
One of such personal projects — The Rocketgirl Chronicles — that was born during Melbourne’s sixth lockdown, found critical acclaim and resonance around the world, with international coverage including Vogue and Rolling Stone, and the author being named the 2021 Australian Photographer of the Year by the Australian Photography magazine.
Organizations
-
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
The Rocketgirl Chronicles (Astoria)
Featuring: Andrew Rovenko
Locations
View Location Details Astoria Park19th Street and 24th Avenue
Astoria, NY 11105
This location is part of Brooklyn Bridge Park
Explore other locations and exhibitions nearby
Location open 24 hours
