Philly Museum Film Exhibit on Humanity, Poverty, and a Dying City. A Must See!!

Hey yall!

October fifteenth I went to the Philly Museum of Art with my dad to check out this exhibit (along with checking out some real Rembrandts!)... I immediately thought of class, and how we are always making an attempt to reach our students through contemporary texts and technology. I strongly encourage each one of you to check this out... I know Philly isn't down the street, but the exhibit is completely free and had such an impact on me that weeks later I am still contemplating it.

I'll tell you a bit about it, since the website fails to do it justice... ( http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/754.html in case you want to check it out yourself).

Live Cinema/Peripheral Stages: Mohamed Bourouissa and Tobias Zielony:
The exhibit consisted of three rooms. The entrance room of contemporary photographs, a visual study of cities and portraits documenting life around the world, in particular city decay and hardship. (Check out the film La Haine if you're interested in film/commentary on love-hate-poverty-decay-etc..). The two side rooms exhibited short films. The one that impacted me the most was a documentary of a Paris prison. The artist gave an inmate a cell phone and over the course of several years collected low-res images, short videos, text messages, and phone conversations. The two characters - artist and inmate - are strangers at the beginning of the project, and watching/hearing their relationship build is heartbreaking. I can't stop thinking about this short 20 minute film that left me aching, inspired, and contemplating. Weeks later I am still in reverie over it. While it may not be something that is on youtube or something easily integrated into a classroom, it is something I suggest everyone see for themselves. Maybe one day we will gain access to it to share with our students!

I loved, loved, loved this exhibit. Not only was it painful, mind-opening, and beautiful, it was also something that I saw myself wanting to share with others - my friends, my peers, my students. It felt important. Challenging. Edgy. Humbling. Do yourselves a favor and drive to the museum and check it out. I promise, even if you're not much of a film, photography or documentary fan, you will not be let down.

In fact, I will personally drive you! I would love to check it out again.