The famous saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” definitely proved itself true at the 54th annual World Press Photo exhibit. This exhibition took place at Marché Bonsecours during the month of September, as part of Montreal’s Mois de la Photo.
The World Press Photo exhibit brought together photographs taken around the world by fifty-four international photographers. Out of 108, 000 submissions, the chosen photos are grouped into various categories such as nature, sports, portraits, war, and natural disasters. The exhibit had a section called C41, which featured pictures taken from Quebecer photographers, adopting a documentary approach on various themes. It also included the series Anthropolographia, a non-profit organization founded in Montreal focused on human rights in the form of photo-essays.
This exhibit was particularly eye opening and emotionally striking. Many of the photos were taken mid-disaster—from the catastrophic aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti, to the flooding in Pakistan. One of the most impressive photographs, in my personal opinion, would have to be the World Press Photo of the year. It is a portrait of a young disfigured Afghan girl taken by South African photographer Jodi Bieber. Bibi Aisha was just sixteen years old when she fled her abusive husband, a Taliban commander. Only a few hours after having escaped to her parents’ home, a group of men seized her and cut off her ears and nose. The young woman survived and was later rescued and taken to a shelter in Kabul by an aid organization, where she met Mrs. Bieber. This portrait shows the extreme torture and mutilation this young girl has endured, yet also captures the beauty and innocence maintained through her self-respect and resilience.
Not only do these photos show striking images from developing countries, but also disasters that may be more familiar to most of us from the Western world, such as the issues of disease. American photographer Darcy Padilla compiled pictures of an American woman Julie who was diagnosed with AIDS, and the slow deterioration of her state. This compilation provides a closer look into poverty in the Western world and the scary reality of illness.
Another one of my favorite photographs from this exhibit was one taken by Dutch photographer Martin Roemers, winner of the First Prize Daily Life Stories. This photo was taken in an Indian metropolitan city, capturing the movements of the people strolling through the markets, while the market stands remain immobile in the background. This picture grasps the phenomenon of urbanization in developing countries, and more importantly, the constant movement of individuals and the fast-paced rhythm of life today.
This exhibit definitely gave me an insightful, and at times disturbing look on many aspects of today’s world. Seeing these beautiful and diverse images really enabled me to open my mind about issues around the globe; it is more than reading a simple news article that is read once and then forgotten. It is more than a television news hour, where you’re able to see videos of events happening around the world but which will be forgotten about a week later. Photographs, as this exhibition proves, have the power to be everlasting and emotionally empowering.