Chester Higgins Jr., Photographer

An outdoor series of 13 large-scale portraits from Ethiopia displayed at the NYU/Kimmel Center Windows Gallery at LaGuardia Place and West 3 rd Street. An exhibition curated by Lydie Diakhaté and organized by the Institute of African
American Affairs at New York University.

THE EXHIBITION: Portraying contemporaneity

Chester Higgins Jr. came back with remarkable images from his visits to Ethiopia (2007-2010). With his portable photo studio he traveled to different villages in the
northern and southern regions, enabling him to create intimate portraits of Dassenech, Mursi, Amhara, Tigrai, Gnangaton, Hamer, Afar people and many others.

With his very singular gaze and spiritual insights, Higgins introduces us to people of Ethiopia we are not used to seeing in the usual representation of the emblematic country. Each person portrayed becomes an icon.

The work of the photographer is highlighted by a collaboration based on a steady confidence with his subjects. In terms of aesthetics, the photos reach an exceptional level of quality, featuring tradition into a contemporary lens. But capturing beauty is not the only focus for the photographer; Higgins has a long-standing commitment within Ethiopia and its people that he is dedicated to share with the viewers.
Displayed at the Kimmel Center Windows Gallery, this series of Ethiopian portraits will engage an exceptional daily conversation with the numerous citizens and visitors of New York City within the most popular neighborhood, the West Village, in Manhattan. Thus, each portrait establishes a powerful dialogue with the viewer. Far away from her/his geographical location but closer thanks to the display, each person posing with her/his attributes questions the relationship engaged with the viewer. Showcased with delicacy and elegance, each one is a unique character. They express themselves fully echoing their direct cultural environment that will resonate with the vibrancy of New York City. Instead of being destabilized, the viewer will share a surprising complicity with the characters. Here, the difference comes to be the vehicle for awareness and enrichment.

— Lydie Diakhaté, Curator

With my camera, I challenge people to see the full breadth of our humanity. I look for dignity in the human condition. And because I believe everything exists at the pleasure of the universal spirit, I search beyond the obvious for the signature of
the spirit in all things.

— Chester Higgins Jr., Photographer

www.chesterhiggins.com

Copyrighted ® Photographs by Chester Higgins Jr. All Rights Reserved



















The work of the photographer is highlighted by a collaboration
based on a steady confidence with his subjects. In terms of
aesthetics, the photos reach an exceptional level of quality,
featuring tradition into a contemporary lens. But capturing
beauty is not the only focus for the photographer; Higgins has a
long-standing commitment within Ethiopia and its people that he
is dedicated to share with the viewers.
Displayed at the Kimmel Center Windows Gallery, this
series of Ethiopian portraits will engage an exceptional daily
conversation with the numerous citizens and visitors of New
York City within the most popular neighborhood, the West
Village, in Manhattan. Thus, each portrait establishes a powerful
dialogue with the viewer. Far away from her/his geographical
location but closer thanks to the display, each person posing
with her/his attributes questions the relationship engaged with
the viewer. Showcased with delicacy and elegance, each one
is a unique character. They express themselves fully echoing
their direct cultural environment that will resonate with the
vibrancy of New York City. Instead of being destabilized, the
viewer will share a surprising complicity with the characters.
Here, the difference comes to be the vehicle for awareness and
enrichment. — Lydie Diakhaté, Curator

With my camera, I challenge people to see the full breadth
of our humanity. I look for dignity in the human condition.
And because I believe everything exists at the pleasure of the
universal spirit, I search beyond the obvious for the signature of
the spirit in all things. — Chester Higgins Jr., Photographer
www.chesterhiggins.com
Copyrighted ® Photographs by Chester Higgins Jr. All Rights Reserved

Breath Fresh Air

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that “most Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, where pollutant levels may be 2-5 times higher, and occasionally 100 times higher, than outdoors.

The Agency defines indoor air pollution as chemical, physical or biological contaminants in the breathable air inside a habitable structure or conveyance, such as in homes, schools, offices, and vehicles. Sources of indoor air pollution include natural sources, building materials, products, and occupant activities.

Health effects from indoor air pollution range from immediate to long-term, and treatable to severely debilitating or fatal. Children are especially vulnerable to these pollutants. Children eat more, drink more, and breathe more than adults in proportion to their body weight, increasing their exposure to contaminants that may be in air, water, soil or food.”

The best way to improve indoor are quality is to take the following steps:

• open windows
• have plants in your house
• reduce the use of chemicals such as pesticides, bleach, detergent, spray
• use aroma therapy by boiling herbs such as cinnamon, cardamom or clove, and
• take a walk.

Picture source:

http://www.dailycognition.com/