Stuart Robertson at Leica Store LA

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Stuart Robertson at Leica Store LA
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Author:  James Lehrer [ Sat Sep 12, 2015 7:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Stuart Robertson at Leica Store LA

On Saturday, September 12, 2015 the Leica Store LA presented New Zealand artist and photographer Stuart Robertson in another in its continuing series, "Coffee, Cameras and Conversation." From 10:00 am to noon in the upstairs Leica Gallery, Stu treated the audience to a slide show summarizing his work to date on an amazing international project called "Peace in 10,000 Hands." Starting in 2012, the project has been to photograph a white rose - an ancient and multi-cultural symbol of peace - held by 10,000 people from all walks of life, in every country of the world.

Stu began his presentation saying that the strongest force in the world is an idea. Driven by the belief that the world has never needed peace as much as as it needs it today, the project's idea is to stimulate a worldwide conversation exploring the nature of peace and the essential similarities of all people. The power of that conversation will be amplified through a broad range of media: books, exhibits in galleries and museums, live presentations and the tremendous leveraging afforded by social media.

The slide presentation included images made in India, China, Antarctica, Iraq, Russia, and California. Although he feels that each image should speak for itself, Stu discussed the context and making of some of the images, as well as some of the logistic and personal challenges he faced (and continues to face) in traveling the globe, crossing borders, overcoming cultural differences and approaching complete strangers and asking them to participate in the project. The project is not something that can be summed up in a single sentence or expressed on a business card. Some the of images are made in place where it is dangerous to engage in photography. With all of that, Stu's sample of work thus far is stunning, and it appears to me that the cumulative effect of the images will be profound. I look forward to seeing one of the exhibits featuring very large (floor to ceiling) prints.

Stu outfitted for the project with a range of Leica gear (describing himself as a "3rd generation Leica user"): a Leica S with 35 and 70mm lenses, a Monochrome rangefinder and a D-Lux. He stayed after the presentation to show his gear and to answer questions.

Those interested in following or supporting this project should log on to its website: www.peacein10000hands.com. Along with a representative gallery of Stu's work, the website provides updates on exhibits, a venue for purchase of project merchandise and other means to fund charities towards the support of worldwide peace, and links to Internet resources on different meanings, manifestations and understandings of peace.

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