Opening from September 26, 2024, to January 6, 2025, the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York will present the group exhibition “We Are Here: Scenes from the Streets.” This diverse showcase features over 30 street photographers from countries including Algeria, China, Germany, and South Africa. The exhibition, which runs through January 6, 2025, offers a focused look at contemporary public life over the past 50 years, highlighting the myriad voices, activities, and locales that define “the street.”

Curated by Isolde Brielmaier, PhD, and Independent Curatorial Assistant Noa Wynn, the exhibition invites visitors to explore the history and evolution of contemporary street art while challenging preconceived notions about the genre.

Brielmaier commented, “‘We Are Here’ invites viewers to confront the richness and complexities of our modern, multifaceted life, emphasizing our shared humanity beyond geographic and cultural divides. Today’s world moves fleetingly, but these images prove that though circumstances might change, humanity is not going anywhere; the stories of our lives will remain.”

Beyond documenting public life, Street photography serves as a powerful medium for revealing and exploring social, political, and cultural dynamics. Each photographer’s lens brings historical and present contexts to life, offering new perspectives and opportunities to question the status quo.

Elisabeth Sherman, ICP Senior Curator and Director of Exhibitions and Collections noted, “Street photographers often navigate the complexities of power dynamics and privilege. We hope this exhibition sparks reflection and conversation about the historical and current dynamics of public spaces shaped by gender, race, and socio-economic status, and how we critically understand the ways they govern our lives.”

In addition to the content of the photographs, “We Are Here” also examines the formal aspects of street photography as a discipline. Featuring the work of over 30 photographers, the exhibition emphasizes underrepresented voices alongside well-known creators, inviting broader dialogues about the practice and the role of street photography in contemporary life and art.

 

Sayart / Amia Nguyen, amyngwyen13@gmail.com