NYC in Orb, a photo installation by Conceição Praun

Opening: Tuesday, September 18 @ 7pm 

When coming to New York for the first time last April, Conceição Praun, a photographer and filmmaker passionate about environmental issues, decided to focus her attention on NYC’s environment and document her observations through a series of original black and white photographs.

Ms. Praun is recognized internationally for her persistence in travelling the world to document the environment. Those trips and meetings have opened her eyes to various environmental issues and has contributed greatly towards Praun’s attitude of questioning the human’s values on the 21st century.

 “I would like to express just how difficult it has been for me to encourage people here in New York City to recognize the importance of their awareness to our environment. Often I have felt frustrated by the seeming lack of interest displayed by many. I have found myself to be a pioneer, touching lives with these very real issues that are crucial for our survival. I have come to recognize that the senses of the masses appear dulled and have nurtured extreme passive attitudes towards our social dilemmas that we should responsibly address. We are all part of a great family called the human race living on planet Earth. Take care of the environment — it’s not only our collective responsibility, but is also our right to do so without obstruction. To this, I remain committed.” - Conceição Praun

About the Artist

Conceição Praun was born in Olinda, Pernambuco in the north east of Brazil. Ms. Praun developed an interest in the “camera obscura” and learned the principles of this optical device while living in London where she had her first showcase. Ms. Praun then moved to Paris where she met George Fèvre (1930-2007), a master of photo development who was an apprentice to Henri Cartier-Bresson. This relationship encouraged Ms Praun’s deep appreciation on his theory of “l’instant décisif”. Fèvre became Ms. Praun’s mentor and exercised a great influence on her career, she promised him that she would focus on the metaphysical contrasts of black and white. Her photographs favor spontaneity over prose and composition. Praun travels the world seeking to highlight the conditions of social and environmental circumstances in order to create awareness on society’s behaviors. “Take care of our environment — it’s a duty which transcends cultural, socioeconomic and all kind of boundaries.” – Conceição

Two Brothers, by Demian Jacob, 2011. Available at http://goodsie.com/store/fbgallery/demian-jacob

Untitled, 2012 by Denis Rauter. Find more of Denis Rauter beautifully composed New York images on our webstore. Click the pic for more info.

New addition to Summer Feeling: photo by William DeNatale, 2012. Opening Wednesday August 8, 4/7pm at Panini Cafe, 188 Lafayette Street, New York, NY

Untitled 2010 by William DeNatale. Collage 16” x 20” now available online!

Last Stop. Archival Pigment Print by Helena Wolfenson, 2012.

Helena Wolfenson was born in São Paulo, Brazil. She has worked as a reporter and photo coordinator for several Brazilian magazines before moving to New York in 2011, where she completed the 1-year certificate program in Photojournalism and Documentary at the ICP (International Center of Photography.) She is documenting New York and its inhabitants with a series of photographs, Last Stop, taken at the last stop of subway lines. Her work is available at FB Gallery.

Check our Facebook album for more photos of the excellent $Normally.Important show. (Click on photo to be directed to album)

Ticún Brasil and FB gallery join forces to offer you Orfeu Negro. (Opening May 10, 7/10pm) Inspired by classic movie Black Orpheus by Marcel Camus, Orfeu Negro is a photography exhibit that explores myth and reality in today’s Rio favelas. 

   Favela Rocinha is the largest and the most developed shantytown in South America. With roughly 200,000 residents it is located in the heart of one of the most upscale neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro.  

   Last summer US artist Lais Lacher volunteered as a photography teacher in Rocinha. At the end of a 2 month course Lais lent the children Nikon cameras to capture their interpretation of the place they call home. The result is Fotos for Favelas series, a plethora of slices of life immortalized by kids with no political filters nor artistic embellishments. 

   Léo Lima (known as Léo do Jacarezinho) was born and lives in Jacare, one of Rio’s 600 favelas. Léo’s pictures have a distinctive poetic immediacy and an honesty that set them apart from most attempts to capture the essence of a favela. 

   The mythological and sensual Rapt of Persephone series of French photographer Konstantin Lunarine offers viewers palpable modern mythology with the artist’s contemporary eye glancing back towards ancient Greek roots.

   The Orfeu Negro exhibit will donate its proceeds to UMPMRS (Union of Women for the Betterment of Roupa Suja), day care center for Fotos For Favelas kids in Rocinha community in Rio. 

   As a bonus there will be great music at the opening by Regional de New York who’ll perform a live set of choro (vintage Brazilian jam) and rare bossa novas by DJ Luiz from Belo Horizonte, Brazil.