The photographers of The Everyday Projects have documented life in their home countries for nearly a decade, creating a global archive of photographs teeming with life and emotion. This year–amidst the compounded pandemics of COVID-19 and systemic racism, amidst global social upheaval–thirteen photographers returned to places and moments they have photographed before, to make new images and record the visual impact of 2020.

Their photographs reveal evolutions in our interactions and traditions, how we use (or have stopped using) public spaces, inequality and unrest, economic strain, and demands for justice. As we juxtapose these new photographs with our archival imagery of work, play, commerce, travel, struggle, education, and embrace, we must ask ourselves: in photos of years past, are we looking at a way of life we may yet return to? Is the way we lived before also the way we will live again? Or, in viewing these new photographs of a tumultuous year, are we catching a glimpse of new futures–knowing that as our world changes, our shared humanity and resilience remain.

In selecting these images, we also spent time thinking about the ways we can, and cannot interact with art during this time of distancing. Five of these projects are available to experience in augmented reality, allowing the viewer to place the photographs in their own space, along with original audio from the photographers, to create their own personal gallery at home.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Photography and visual journalism have the power to challenge the stereotypes that distort our understanding of the world. The Everyday Projects uses that power to combat harmful misperceptions, and to rise above persistent inequality. We are creating new generations of storytellers and audiences, who recognize the need for multiple perspectives in portraying the cultures that define us.

We started with Everyday Africa in 2012—a collective of photographers sharing daily-life images on Instagram from across the continent in an effort to present a more accurate depiction of normal life. Following our viral success, an international movement began as like-minded storytellers worldwide, created their own @Everyday feeds on Instagram, that use photography to combat cliché, promote local norms, and celebrate global commonalities. In 2014, the people behind a number of these feeds came together to exhibit at Photoville—meeting for the first time, and forming The Everyday Projects.

The photographers André Coelho, Brian Otieno, Danielle Villasana, Fethi Sahraoui, Jodi Hilton, Lavinia Parlamenti, Nana Kofi Acquah, Nilofar Niekpor, Ritesh Uttamchandani, Sheila Pree Bright, Xiaojie Ouyang, Yolanda Escobar Jiménez, and Yoriyas Yassine Alaoui, are among the most prominent photographic voices of their home regions. They represent members of the global range of Everyday projects, including Everyday Afghanistan, Everyday Africa, Everyday Asia, Everyday Black America, Everyday Brasil, Everyday Eastern Europe, Everyday Ecuador, Everyday India, Everyday Italy, and Everyday Latin America.

Then & Now

Featuring: Various Artists

Locations

View Location Details Brooklyn Bridge Park – Empire Fulton Ferry Lawn

1 Water Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201

Number 11 on the official photoville map Click to download this year's map

This location is part of Brooklyn Bridge Park
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