Interview with
Adrian René,Kevin bass, and Mario cabral
Three photographers featured in the Cherry Street Pier exhibition, “In These Strange and Uncertain Times” are interviewed below. Curated by Jelsomine Media, this exhibit was all about community and supporting mutual aid efforts in Philadelphia and how simply showing kindness/understanding towards each other goes a long way. All proceeds from the event will benefit Homies Helping Homies, a mutual aid effort in South Philadelphia.
adrian rené
@_eyesofeli
Adrian René is a Haitian American documentary and street photographer born in Queens, New York. His work is primarily based in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he married the love of his life and found his love for photography. His goal as a photographer is to blur lines of de facto segregation through his images. No matter where one is from, his audience can see themselves in his work. In essence, his images evoke a self-realization that all humans are chasing the same feelings of love, mercy, and compassion. To do this, his work gravitates towards the youth of Philadelphia, through their eyes he tells the story of the past, current and future state of the world we live in.
What has been your journey with photography so far? Where do you hope to see it go?
Photography is not my life's work but it is now a part of my life. Cameras have provided me with a beautiful way to give to others. My hope is that I can continue to do that and to do that even more fully as my body of work grows. I love people and life. I hope that in the future when people look at my images it increases their will to live, knowing there are people out there with faces and feelings just like theirs.
You've been taking some beautiful portraits at recreation centers around North Philadelphia - what inspires your work in these spaces? Will we see more of this during your participation in the festival?
The kids are my inspiration. I love kids more than photography itself. I love seeing kids find themselves and grow into their innate personalities. When I take their picture, I feel like I'm in a sense helping them find themselves by giving them a chance to present themselves to the world.
The festival will be my first chance to present these youths. I am excited and I hope the viewers feel what I felt when I made these images.
You write some really touching poetry on your Instagram to accompany your images - has poetry always been a passion of yours? How do you see photography overlap with that?
Poetry is cheaper than photography - I mean that literally. I have been writing since I was very young. I always loved the idea that I could paint a picture with words. So lately, I have been trying to overlap these two forms of expression in a harmonious way, to make them work together like a duet. My hope is that the images I make speak for themselves. My dream though, is for my poetry to echo the feelings my images convey. That would be lovely.
kevin bass
@homieshelpinghomies
@gorilla_in_a_coupe
Kevin Bass isn’t a photographer. He’s an engineer, working on a time capsule through the lense of his 35 millimeter with Philadelphia, Pa., as his backdrop. “Capturing experiences as they unfold breaks down where we stand in society,” Bass said. “It’s on each of us to represent that.” Co-founder of Homies Helping Homies, a community initiative in Point Breeze, Bass is passionate about archiving his experience as a black artist living in a historically underserved neighborhood. “Black history is almost nonexistent,” Bass said, “and as an artist with access to the tools to document, it’s important that I record for future generations.”
Homies Helping Homies is such a great cause! Can you talk a little about the group's involvement with the festival this year?
The festival's theme this year is "Community," which is very fitting for our mutual aid effort. As the co-founder of Homies Helping Homies, Gravy Studio & Jelsomine Media invited me to participate in the exhibition at Cherry St. Pier, where all sales will benefit Homies. They will be holding a goods drive during the show for us as well. Also, they're throwing a fundraiser photo booth at 2nd Street Festival where all donations will go to Homies!
Now onto your photography.. it's so great that you're able to have two perspectives, both from your mutual aid efforts side, and as an artist. How do these two things interact for you?
They don’t really play a factor I feel. If anything my perspective comes from everyday life and whatever comes with it, I just happen to document it because who else will in that moment.
What do you hope for Homies going into the future? And for yourself?
For Homies, I’d love for it to be sustainable and to do much more for Point Breeze and beyond. We recently obtained a fiscal sponsor and are in the process of applying for grants. I'm hoping to become non-profit certified in the near future. In terms of myself.. a vacation!
mario cabral
@sea_of_worry
Based out of Philadelphia, a Dominican photographer and creative using multiple formats of film to document an ever changing city. With a focus on street and architecture photography, having a keen eye for detail and making the most of capturing a moment while finding humour in how I view the world.
Tell us about the subject matter that seems to capture your attention most and why
I always try to have a prompt or idea when I'm out photographing. My subject matter changes day by day. I like to emit a feeling or idea with what I choose to capture. My focus is centered more towards street and documentary photography. I’m drawn to finding emotions and stories while expressing my own voice.
Are there any aspects of the festival and exhibitions you're participating in that you're especially looking forward to?
Mainly I'm excited to meet and connect with other photographers and creatives. Being introduced to the music scene in Philly at a young age and it intersects with the art scene as well. It's a gap I've wanted to bridge together for a long time.
Also, getting a chance to show something that I've been working on for years and getting to share my ideas and represent a side of Philadelphia that isn't in the public eye.
How has photographing the communities around you shaped your view on your surroundings and your relation to them?
Over time it's been an eye opening experience. I'm fortunate to have met people through photography, that being a stranger or getting closer to a friend. It definitely has changed my perspective and understanding of different cultures. Especially just gaining awareness of how such an evolving city has affected those cultures and communities.