Gideon Mendel: Drowning World

May 14 - October 16, 2016 - Drowning World is a visual attempt to capture the magnitude of climate change through portraits of flood survivors taken in deep floodwaters with­in the remains of their homes or in submerged landscapes, in the stillness of once lively environments. Keeping their composure, the photographed sub­jects pause in front of Gideon Mendel’s camera, casting an unsettling yet engaging gaze. Taken across the world, these images bear witness to a shared expe­rience that erases geographical and cultural divides. They invite the viewers to reflect on our impact on nature and ultimately on our own attachment to our homes and personal belongings. Beyond the documentary aspect of this project, Mendel’s work subtly treads on the aesthetics of portraiture, a genre of which he pushes the boundaries by setting its décor in unlikely environments. Each portrait isolates individuals, couples, or small groups that would otherwise be reduced to statistics. They also reveal their person­alities and status through their clothes, style, even elegance.