The Exhibit is over....

The exhibit is over, hundreds of Italians viewed the images that the participants made and read their stories. Many eyes were opened about the life and struggles that the Palestinians have living on the other side of the Wall. In light of the Gaza situation, many people wanted to know more about the conflict, the wall and checkpoints.

Now I am crossing my fingers to move the exhibit to Siena and then Rome!

Press Release Italian and English

“Crossing Borders” è una mostra fotografica itinerante che cerca di mettere in evidenza l'esistenza quotidiana del Popolo Palestinese costretto a convivere all'interno del' ”Israeli Separation Barrier”, il “Muro” che divide i Territori Palestinesi della West Bank da Israele dal resto del mondo.
Susan Brannon fotogiornalista americana, ha organizzato e condotto un workshop fotografico con tre gruppi di palestinesi della West Bank: con un gruppo di donne del “Aida Refugee Camp”,del Campo Profughi di Aida, vicino a Bethlehem, con delle donne del” The Turner Institute for Education Youth Group “ di Ramallah ed con altro gruppo di donne del “ Society for Women “ sempre a Ramallah.
Il progetto si proponeva di offrire ai palestinesi una via diretta per esprimere con voce propria ciò che riguarda la loro vita quotidiana, piuttosto che altri lo facciano a posto loro.
“Gli ho messo a disposizione delle macchine fotografiche affinché riprendessero la loro esistenza per conto proprio e gli ho chiesto di registrare e raccontare la loro vita quotidiana attraverso l'obbiettivo fotografico e con annotazioni scritte.”
Susan Brannon si è occupata per sette anni. come fotogiornalista di conflitti del Medio Oriente
Il suo lavoro è stato pubblicato su giornali e riviste e attraverso le agenzie di aiuto umanitario in tutto il mondo. Essa mostra la vita reale, gli effetti e i retroscena dei teatri di guerra dai punti di vista di coloro che sono stati marginalizzati dai conflitti.E' membro del National Press Photography Association, e di Reporters Without Borders.

Crossing Borders is a traveling photography exhibit that gives light into the lives of the Palestinian People who live inside of the Israeli security barrier that divides the West Bank from Israel and the rest of the world.
Photojournalist Susan Brannon conducted a photography workshop with three groups in the West Bank, “The Crossing Borders project was to create an avenue for the Palestinians to create their own voice concerning their lives, rather than other people doing it for them. I gave them disposable cameras to photograph their own existence and asked them to record their lives through the lens and through text.”
Susan Brannon has been a photojournalist in the Middle East covering the conflicts for over 7 years. Her work has been published in newspapers, magazines and humanitarian aid agencies throughout the world. She exposes the real life effects and behind the scenes of war through the lens on those who have been marginalized from the conflicts. She is a member of the National Press Photography Association, Reporters Without Borders, and American Photojournalists.

A'mir Refugee Camp, Ramallah

Photograph by Lina with the Tamer Institute in Ramallah. We took a workshop field trip to A'mir Refugee Camp in Ramallah.

The Israeli Security Wall

Photograph taken by Jumna from Ramallah, she lives across from the wall. Here this road used to go straight but it was cut off by the wall. Her mother lives on the other side. Now it can take her hours to go and visit her, when she used to cross the street.

The next photograph is of the wall taken by Sa'ana in Aida Refugee Camp located in Bethlehem. This tower is built across from the homes and a childrens community center.

Palestinian Voice

The Palestinian Voice is finally finding its way out of the isolation in the West Bank of Israel! An Exhibit is in its making, to be shown in Florence and then traveling to other cities in Italy. The project is sponsored by....guess who? Me of course. I have found that no-one wants to be affiliated with funding to projects concerning the West Bank, due to the Hamas situation. Even though, there are starving people everywhere in Gaza, that does not seem to matter.
For me and the project participants, this is good news!

Crossing Borders Exhibit in Florence!

Crossing Borders Exhibit

Madonna della Neve square
Florence, Italy

February 1 - 7th open from 15:00 -20:00
Opening night starts at 7pm on January 31, 19:00

Generating a voice for the people.

The Tamer Institute Youth Group, Women from Idyah Refugee Camp and the Society for Women will share a few of their chosen images and stories.

Eilda

Eilda was my main contact in the West Bank, she works with the Holy Land Trust and offered use of the internet, office, assistance in translating, helping to find groups.

I give all my thanks to the Holy Land Trust and Samy who is the director, his vision for non violent peace is his main focus for the conflict. The group at the Trust works hard to find ways to establish peace through non-violent means!

Thanks everyone at the Trust!

Susan