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Eastman Museum Presents Gillian Laub's Southern Rites
kisha ravi for visura blog
Dec 20, 2023
Location: 900 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
The George Eastman Museum presents, "Southern Rites," an exhibition featuring American photographer and filmmaker Gillian Laub.
The project is a powerful photographic exploration of racial tensions and discrimination in the American South. Laub spent over two decades documenting the lives and experiences of individuals in Montgomery County, Ga., a community marked by deep-seated racial divisions. Gillian was initially sent to Mt. Vernon, Ga. on assignment for SPIN magazine to document the lives of teenagers in the area. When she arrived, she was treated warmly, but soon discovered this idyllic town was also held hostage by generations of harmful policies, including racially segregated high school homecoming events and proms.
Through her lens, Laub captured the complex dynamics that continue to exist within this community, shedding light on persistent racial segregation and prejudice despite the growing – and eventually violent – resistance from the community. Her photographs provide a deeply humanistic perspective, showcasing the struggles and triumphs of individuals navigating a society shaped by historical inequalities.
Southern Rites confronts viewers with stark imagery and personal narratives that challenge preconceived notions and encourages dialogue on issues of race, identity, and social justice. Laub's compassionate approach allows the subjects to share their stories and amplify their voices, ultimately fostering a nuanced understanding of the complexities and ongoing struggles surrounding racial inequality, not just in the American South, but in the entire country. Southern Rites asks a universal question about the human experience: can a new generation liberate itself from a harrowing and traumatic past to create a different future?
About the Artist
Gillian Laub (b.1975, raised in Chappaqua, New York) is a photographer and filmmaker based in New York. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in comparative literature before studying photography at the International Center of Photography, where her love of visual storytelling and family narratives began.
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