One of the most dramatic manifestations of the Arab Spring was in Egypt. The revolution was televised. So many things went right in our new society of social media, mobile and worldwide interconnection. That includes the arrest and subsequent release of Wael Ghonim. While Egypt is still in transition, it stands as one of the most peaceful and moving expressions of the aspirations of the new generation since the dissolution of the Soviet Republic.
Journalist David Wolman happened to be reporting a few years before on social media and the new generation of activists in Egypt. He was gifted the opportunity to see it all unfold.
He published an e-book The Instigators, on the movement which was also covered in articles for The Atlantic.
He speaks at Mercy Corps tonight on Egypt and another book he has written, The End of Money. Mercy Corps has been a pioneer in using mobile phone technology to directly distribute cash in disaster areas. They also have sponsored markets which bring together local vendors of household necessities and households who can use Mercy Corps scrip to buy items. Mercy Corps pays the vendors in cash at the conclusion.
At the Mercy Corps Action Center www.actioncenter.org Advance tickets recommended - details: www.mercycorps.org/events/2012/01/27/26382 28 SW 1st $10 7PM
Prom. The word strikes terror and joy into the hearts of students, teachers and parents. The students' views across the country are captured in the project, Prom, by Mary Ellen Mark and Martin Bell. Mark has made formal portraits of the couples on the Polaroid 20x24, the highest resolution imaging system in existence, at about 500 megapixels per frame. Bell interviewed the couples, resulting in a film, Prom, which accompanies the photographs published as a book. In addition to everyday honest angst, there are very touching interviews with students preparing for the prom while undergoing treatment for cancer, gay prom tribulations, the kids struggling to fit in, and disabled prom goers. The 33 minute film will be shown tonight in a small photo studio in the Towne, sponsored by Photolucida. Details and reservations at www.jonikabana.com/classes/photo-picnic-mary-ellen-mark-martin-bells-prom-book-and-documentary-film/ 8PM $10 cash or check
Ampersand has a show of portrait works by Brandon Fernandez made by a short depth of field view camera on wet collodion plates. The long exposure time, depth of field and resolution recall the work of photographers of the 19th Century, such as Julia Margaret Cameron, Nadar and later, Bellocq. It's excellent work. Also showing photos and constructions involving bones by Jefferson Hayman, being released as a book by Ampersand. At Ampersand Vintage Printed Material www.ampersandvintage.com 2916 NE Alberta, Ste B. Map 6PM-10 Free
