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.
Dates:May 14, 2016 10:00 am to October 16, 2016 05:00 pm
Address:547 East Circle Drive, Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
Phone:(517) 884-4800
Contact:Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Michigan State University
Website:http://broadmuseum.msu.edu/exhibitions/