Elevated Denver exhibit makes use of pictures to problem stereotypes — The Denver VOICE

“When we’re housed, we get to tell our stories about parts of our life and our experience in the way that we want. We really wanted the artists to be able to express however they were feeling, whatever they were thinking in the way that they wanted without having to think about how their participation may follow or define them down the road,” Flood mentioned.

Flood mentioned she felt that anonymity allowed people to share their tales with out having labels and narratives unfairly compelled upon them.

“We wanted them to be free to share however they were feeling and for that to be it, for it not to be associated with how anyone else knew them or had an experience with them. We wanted it to just truly be the perspective and story they wanted to share,” she mentioned.

BUILDING EMPATHY

Mirrors positioned all through the gallery invite guests to think about prompts similar to What resonates with you? and What did you be taught right here?

“The hope, my hope, is for people who attend the exhibit to really take in the visual story and the written story that accompanies it in the narrative, and to be able to step into a moment where they truly see through the eyes or lens of the artist,” Flood mentioned.

For Public, the exhibit was about reaching individuals who could not perceive the challenges of being unhoused.

“My hope was to just draw them in, even if a little bit closer, to something that may not be their reality. And that’s the gist of basically what I was trying to do with my photography and all of my art,” he mentioned.

Flood mentioned the undertaking underscores the necessity for extra areas the place individuals can share their very own tales.

“The only hope we have of solving our most pressing challenges is to really heal the separateness that is pervasive in society right now. And my belief is the pathway to that is through stories,” she mentioned.