"I Knew This Was Powerful" – Building Community Through Photography

B&H Photography Podcast

Jill Waterman

Podcast, Photography, Arts, Visual Arts, Bh, Photo

4.6 • 2K Ratings

🗓️ 2 December 2021

⏱️ 63 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The title for this episode of the B&H Photography Podcast is taken from a comment made by guest Tonika Johnson, describing the moment she recognized the effect her work could have on citizens of her hometown of Chicago. I’m certain that our other guests have had a similar moment when they see that their artistic work has gone beyond just the oohs and ahhs of aesthetes and afficionados and truly helps to educate and change the world for the better.

On today’s program, we speak about photo projects that are used to address social problems and to bridge gaps between diverse people. In addition to Johnson, we welcome photographer John Noltner, the founder of A Peace of My Mind, and Michael Skoler, Communications Director at Weave: The Social Fabric Project.

From Skoler we learn of the founding of Weave by the Aspen Institute and its mission to enable “weavers” to create connections between varied people, to act as good neighbors, and to “heal” communities. A Peace of My Mind, which has collaborated with Weave, uses photography and portraiture to foster discussions on peace and its many interpretations. Through exhibitions, workshops, and even his new book, Noltner’s visual storytelling sparks conversation and, hopefully, brings new understandings on diversity and tolerance.

In the second half of the program, we focus on the work of Tonika Johnson and her Folded Map Project, which provides a unique method to compare historically segregated neighborhoods in Chicago and, ultimately, to bring the residents of these neighborhoods together. We speak with Johnson of her work as a photo teacher and activist and learn how this project had been gestating since her high-school days. Join us for this inspirational conversation.

Guests: Michael Skoler, John Noltner, Tonika Johnson

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're listening to the B&H Photography Podcast.
0:04.0	For over 40 years, B&H has been the professional source for photography, video, audio, and more.
0:09.0	For your favorite gear, news, and reviews, visit us at bnh.com or download the B&H app to your iPhone or Android device.
0:17.0	Now here's your host, Alan Whitez.
0:20.0	Greetings and welcome to the B&H Photography Podcast.
0:23.0	Today's episode is definitely celebratory and hopefully inspirational.
0:28.0	For some, photography can be a solitary enterprise.
0:31.0	For others, photography is a visual conversation between a small circle of people, perhaps friends, and maybe even other photographers.
0:39.0	But today's guests have figured out a way to use their photo skills to bridge social divides and encourage dialogue between segments of society that might not otherwise cross paths, let alone say good morning to one another when they actually do cross paths.
0:55.0	John Harrison and I are very pleased to welcome Michael Scholar, John Noltener, and Tornika Johnson to the B&H Photography Podcast to talk about projects each of them have taken on and want these projects have in common with one another.
1:09.0	In the first half of the program, we're going to be speaking with Michael Scholar about the Weave project.
1:15.0	We'll also be speaking with John Noltener about his project, A Piece of My Mind.
1:20.0	And after a short break, we're going to catch up with Tornika Johnson and learn about the Folded Map project, a long term project that approaches the idea of community from uniquely urban perspective.
1:31.0	Welcome to each of you and thank you for joining us today.
1:34.0	Pleasure to be with you.
1:36.0	Good to be with you.
1:38.0	Terrific, welcome here.
1:39.0	Michael Scholar is communications director for Weave, the social fabric project, which is part of the Aspen Institute in Washington, DC. If you want big things done, Mike's the guy you call.
1:50.0	He's a former NPR correspondent.
1:53.0	He's also responsible for creating the first national crowdsourcing network for public radio newsrooms.
1:59.0	As president of Louisville Public Media, he focused on expanding its community connections and the diversity of its staff, its board and its audiences.
2:08.0	Joining Michael is photographer John Noltener.
	...

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