March 1 – May 1, 2011
Location:
Kimmel Center, NYU
Windows Gallery Space
LaGuardia Place and West 3rd street
New York, NY 10012
An exhibition organized by
The Institute of African American Affairs at NYU
Curated by Lydie Diakhaté
An outdoor series of 13 large-scale portraits from Ethiopia displayed at the
Kimmel Center Windows Gallery that establishes a powerful dialogue
beyond cultural and geographical boundaries.
Each individual posing here becomes a star and
engages the viewers passing by the street in an exceptional conversation.
Portraying contemporaneity
Chester Higgins came back with remarkable images from his visits to Ethiopia (2007-2010). With his portable photo studio he traveled to different villages in the North and South region, enabling him to create intimate portraits of Dassenech, Mursi, Doho, Dorze, Gnangaton, Hamer people and many others. With his very singular gaze and spiritual insights, Higgins introduces us to people of Ethiopia we are not used to see into the usual representation of the emblematic country. Each person portrayed becomes an icon. The work of the photographer is highlighted by a collaboration based on a steadily confidence with his subjects. In terms of aesthetics, the photos reach an exceptional level of quality, featuring tradition into a contemporary lens. But performing beauty is not the only focus for the photographer; Higgins has a longstanding commitment within Ethiopia and its people that he is dedicated to share with the viewers.
Displayed at the Kimmel Center Windows Gallery this series of Ethiopian portraits will engage an exceptional daily conversation with the numerous citizens and visitors of New York City within the most popular neighborhood in Manhattan. Thus, each portrait establishes a powerful dialogue with the viewer. Far away from her/his geographical location but closer thanks to the display, each person posing with her/his attributes questions the relationship engaged with the viewer. Showcased with delicacy and elegance, each one is a unique character. They express their fully in depth into their direct cultural environment that will resonate with the vibrancy of New York City. Instead of being destabilized, the viewer will share a surprising complicity with the characters. Here, the difference comes to be the vehicle for awareness and enrichment.
Lydie Diakhaté
“With my camera, I challenge people to see the full breath of our humanity. I look for dignity in the human condition. And because I believe everything exists at the pleasure of the universal spirit, I search beyond the obvious for the signature of the spirit in all things.
In 1973, I fell in love visually with the Ethiopian people, the culture, and the land, so ancient that human history began here. Since that first visit, I have returned to Ethiopia more than 30 times. Five years ago, I began bringing equipment to set up a high fashion field studio. I trained my local facilitators to be lighting and studio assistants. Using this portable studio, I am able to flood my subjects’ faces with strong dramatic light and produce photographs that capture the nuances of each person’s appearance.
On my first trips to Ethiopia, I discovered the highlanders and the many remarkable structures to faith that dot the countryside in the northern regions. On subsequent trips, I worked in the western and southern regions. I came to appreciate the dramatic differences in traditions, dress, worship, and even languages between the various people of Ethiopia. All the expressions of beauty presented in the Stars of Ethiopia exhibition are the product of one people bound together in one nation, living under the starry floor of heaven.”
Chester Higgins Jr., Photographer
k'a yelema productions 