Beijing Xilu, Jingan District, Shanghai, 2004 by Sze Tsung Leong

Ecoaesthetic, a group show on view at Exit art, focuses on artworks by 9 artists whose works confront the impact of war, industrialization and deforestation on the environment. The images included in the exhibition depict both the tragic results of human destructiveness while simultaneously indicating visual aesthetics of eco-degradation. Ecoaesthetic is part of a new initiative from Exit Art called SEA (Social-Environmental Aesthetics) that looks to present a diverse multimedia exhibition program and permanent archive of artworks that address social and environmental concerns. Included in the exhibition are photographs by David Maisel, featured in Aperture magazine issue 172 and Sze Tsung Leong featured in Aperture magazine issue 183.

Ecoaesthetic: The Tragedy of Beauty
June 18 – August 28, 2010

Exit Art
475 Tenth Ave
New York, NY, 10018

The House Is Small But The Welcome Is Big:
Using photography to empower lives in Africa.

Exhibition on View: Saturday, September 20, 2008-Saturday, October 18, 2008

Exit Art
475 Tenth Ave
New York, NY 10018
(212) 966-7745

Aperture has a long-standing history of combining photography and social consciousness. Therefore, we are always thrilled when other organizations do the same.

The House is Small is a traveling exhibition featuring photographs taken by women and children in Africa who are affected either directly or indirectly by HIV/AIDs. The project first began in the township of Cape Town, South Africa with 15 HIV positive women being taught the fundamentals of photography. These women were then encouraged to document their lives using the camera as their tool.

The project was then extended to include children in Maputo, Mozambique who had been orphaned by family members with AIDs. Like the women in Cape Town, these children were also given cameras and instruction on how to use them. Their remarkable stories, along with their images, can be viewed here.

This type of project, described by co-creator Neal Baer as “participant photography,” brings a new perspective to traditional photo documentation. The show is an incredible achievement and helps to remind us of how art can make a positive impact on the world.