NEW YORK (VINnews) — An outdoor photography exhibition featuring life-size portraits of Palestinian farmers concluded Monday after a two-week run at a public plaza near New York City Hall.
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“Plant It Forward,” by artists Husam Ghanem and Ahmad Talat, featured 14 large-format portraits of Palestinian farmers photographed on the olive farms they planted in the northern West Bank, according to the New York City Department of Transportation.
The exhibition was displayed at St. Andrews Plaza, between Centre Street and Duane Street, near City Hall and the Municipal Building. It was presented in partnership with Photoville and Treedom for Palestine through NYC DOT’s Art Partners program.
The exhibit opened Sept. 21 and was scheduled to run through Oct. 5. The Asian American Arts Alliance described it as a free outdoor photography exhibition featuring 14 life-size portraits of Palestinian farmers photographed on their farms in the West Bank.
According to NYC DOT, approximately half of the farmers featured in the portraits were women. Each subject was photographed on their own farm, with olive trees, crops, irrigation systems and surrounding terrain visible in the images. The portraits were displayed at approximately life size and eye level to create a direct encounter between pedestrians and the farmers.
The project was presented by Treedom for Palestine, produced by Photoville and hosted through NYC DOT Art, the city’s temporary public art program.
NYC DOT Art allows temporary public artwork on city transportation property, including pedestrian plazas, sidewalks, medians and other public spaces. The agency says its program has permitted more than 500 temporary public art installations throughout the five boroughs.
The exhibition’s run ended Monday, Oct. 5, and the portraits were no longer scheduled to be on display at St. Andrews Plaza Tuesday.
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