ICP Presents #ICPConcerned: Global Images for Global Crisis
Exhibition Overview
On March 20, the International Center of Photography announced an open call for imagemakers around the world to post and tag imagery of their experiences as the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded. The hashtag #ICPConcerned was named in recognition of ICP’s founding principle to champion “concerned photography”—socially and politically minded images that can educate and change the world.
Then, on May 25, George Floyd, a Black man, was killed in Minneapolis by a white police officer and millions came out of isolation to gather in anger and defiance of centuries of systemic racism and white supremacy. Thousands of #ICPConcerned images of the demonstrations were shared.
Photojournalism and documentary pictures sit with staged and more metaphorical photographs. Amateur smartphone pictures are being uploaded alongside the work of professional imagemakers from around the world. A whole range of emotions are present: anger, despair, loss, confusion, frustration, boredom, loneliness, strength, and resolve.
Now, ICP has initiated an evolving exhibition, #ICPConcerned: Global Images for Global Crisis. One thousand images are being chosen by a wide range of ICP staff—curators, administrators, and educators. No one can visit yet, as ICP remains closed to the public due to the pandemic, but the process and the installation are being documented and shown online, taking the images back to the worldwide audience that made them. Eventually, the returning public will be able to come see a visual account of this tumultuous era.
Visit icp.org to view photographs and installation videos and images.
On View
In June 2020, ICP initiated the show in its largest gallery space. The exhibition was announced to the public on August 11, 2020. It is the intention that when ICP is able to reopen its space, which is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the show will continue to be on view, growing and evolving with submissions to #ICPConcerned.
While ICP is closed, the physical exhibition remains inaccessible to the public. During this time, we are reporting on the process and installation on icp.org and @ICP on Instagram. We are also hosting a series of virtual curator’s tours and other related public programs. When ICP reopens, we hope all who are able will visit the museum and explore the images and stories there.
Components
1000 images, printed on 17 x 22” paper and hung chronologically in a grid. Each image is accompanied by a caption that includes photographer’s name, Instagram handle, caption or title from the photographer, date, and location the image was photographed.
Curatorial Team
Images for this evolving exhibition are being chosen by a wide range of ICP staff—curators, administrators, and educators—coordinated by David Campany, managing director of programs, and Sara Ickow, curatorial coordinator.
Public Programs
Curator’s Tour—#ICPConcerned: Global Images for Global Crisis (Online)
Friday, August 28, 1–2 PM EST
ICP Talks: On Curating Photography (Online)
Wednesday, September 9–Friday, September 11, 1–2 PM EST
Curator’s Tour—#ICPConcerned: Global Images for Global Crisis (Online)
Sunday, September 27, 11AM–12 PM EST
We look forward to announcing additional programming in the coming weeks. Visit icp.org/events for the latest information.
Audio Guide
Hear directly from a selection of contributing photographers to learn more about the stories behind their images in the #ICPConcerned: Global Images for Global Crisis audio guide, which will continue to expand alongside the physical exhibition. The audio guide includes perspectives from alumni of ICP’s Full-Time Programs and past Continuing Education students as well as members of the ICP community residing across the United States and abroad, including Pakistan, Indonesia, France, and Peru. Transcripts and translations are available in up to 10 languages through Gesso, ICP’s audio guide host.
Support
#ICPConcerned: Global Images for Global Crisis has been made possible by the generous support of the ICP Exhibitions Committee.
Exhibitions at ICP are supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Additional exhibition support is provided by the Joseph and Joan Cullman Foundation for the Arts, Inc.
On Reopening
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ICP’s museum is temporarily closed and classes have been moved online. We look forward to opening our museum when it is safe to do so. For updated information, visit icp.org
ICP from Anywhere
Stay connected with ICP's exhibitions and education programs online. Take a class, register for online events, watch videos, engage with our collections, and more. Visit icp.org/anywhere.
About ICP
The International Center of Photography is the world’s leading institution dedicated to photography and visual culture. Cornell Capa founded ICP in 1974 to champion “concerned photography”—socially and politically minded images that can educate and change the world. Through our exhibitions, education programs, community outreach, and public programs, ICP offers an open forum for dialogue about the power of the image.
Social
Instagram: @ICP
#ICPConcerned
Facebook: InternationalCenterofPhotography
Twitter: @ICPhotog
ICP Statement of Accessibility and Inclusion
ICP is committed to offering space and programs that are accessible to all audiences. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are values that are integral to offering an open forum for dialogue around photography and visual culture that is open to all. Through this lens, we hope to engage, educate, and inspire our visitors, students, and community at large.
ICP Land Acknowledgement
The International Center of Photography is on the island known as Mannahatta (Manhattan) in Lenapehoking, the homeland of the Lenape people. ICP pays respect to the original stewards of this land, Lenape and other indigenous peoples, and is committed to supporting the inter-tribal Native American, First Nations, and Indigenous communities that continue to thrive in New York City. This acknowledgement demonstrates a commitment to beginning the process of dismantling the ongoing legacies of settler colonialism through our exhibitions, classes, and programming.
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