Curator's Note

Over the years, many countries, especially the United States of America, have become more divided than united. The war on drugs in the United States, for instance, escalated divisions between the Black community and law enforcement. After the September 11 attacks, there has been a rise in Islamic discrimination and tensions between Iran and the United States. In recent years, the gap between the Republican and Democratic parties has widened, resulting in incidents like the Capitol Hill Riot of January 2021. Racial, religious, and cultural differences became more pronounced with the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. These examples demonstrate that, as a society, we are progressively losing touch with one aspect that unites us all: compassion.

A Flash of Light Amidst Dark Times portrays photographs of humanity during moments of crisis. The goal of this exhibition is: to demonstrate that we are stronger together than we are apart. We should not turn against each other during chaotic and uncertain times; instead, be more empathetic, understanding, and open-minded. A central concept of the exhibition is that humans are social creatures, and we rely on the support of others during moments of grief, despair, ruin, and outrage. Despite our differences, we all share these heavy feelings, and we can use this as leverage during our daily tensions. We can also use this exhibition as a reminder to show appreciation for our first responders as they sacrifice their lives to help and support others.

This online exhibition focuses on seven recent global issues in the 21st century: September 11 Attacks, School Shootings, Immigration Crisis, Extreme Weather Events, COVID-19 Pandemic, Anti-Asian Hate, and the Black Lives Matter Movement. Each exhibit contains photographs depicting unity and compassion despite the severe issues at hand. When seen together, the photos serve as a general timeline of these recent catastrophes that can be addressed — or even prevented — with more empathy and understanding.

A Flash of Light Amidst Dark Times is curated by Shania Persaud, a student in the Macaulay Honors College Arts in NYC class.