Proposal for
THE GIFT
A Photographic Exhibition
Exploring Life Beyond Limits
A Collaborative Project of
No Limits Media and The United Nations
THE GIFT is a photographic exhibition which gives a different and positive image to the realities of living with disabilities. The title arises from a shared perception among people with disabilities that their disability enables them to experience the world in an insightful, empathic and sometimes exultant way, not usually available to the able bodied. This exhibition is being created to show how this gift works through a unique series of dramatic photos, video clips and samples of intriguing technologies. THE GIFT is designed to travel around the world under the auspices of the United Nations, so that it can demonstrate the possibilities of a new vision for all people with disabilities. This exhibition will be mounted by NO LIMITS MEDIA (NLM) in collaboration with the UN Secretariat for the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the U.N. Office of Exhibitions.
The themes embodied in THE GIFT photographic collection grew out of the successful exhibition at the UN headquarters called Raising the Bar which featured dramatic images of Paralympic athletes in elite competition. THE GIFT will expand on the theme of achievement in disabilities and is intended to be shown at UN offices and other notable venues around the world. It is dedicated to elevating awareness and promoting universal passage of the Convention. This is one part of an effort to affirm respect for human difference along with universal acceptance of persons with disabilities as they assume their full and effective participation and inclusion in society.
Background
The impetus for THE GIFT grew out of the 2005 collaboration between, NLM and the U.N. Office of Exhibitions. Together, they mounted the photo exhibition Raising the Bar: New Perspectives on Disability Sports. Formally opened by King Abdullah II of Jordan, this breakthrough show was based on the book Raising the Bar (Umbrage Editions, Joukowsky and Rothstein). Both the book and the exhibition received wide praise for their presentation of the dramatic images of people with disabilities using Paralympic sports to compensate for their disabilities.
Rather than focusing on the challenging realities to which people with disabilities must adjust, Raising the Bar offered a positive and forward-looking depiction of their lives. NLM is proud to have worked with the United Nations to create a public reminder that people with disabilities are, in fact, part of the mainstream.
The Proposal
THE GIFT has been created to dispel common stereotypes of people with disabilities by showcasing memorable images of people with disabilities participating in a broad spectrum of sports, performance and the arts. This photographic collection is being curated for display at the UN headquarters and in UN offices worldwide.
The forty to sixty images in THE GIFT will explore three primary thematic areas including:
- The drama of disability sports
- The creative efforts of disabled painters, dancers, and musicians
- Expressions of achievement within the developing world.
The exhibition will also highlight the ways in which inclusive activities, technology and design are changing the way people with disabilities can engage with the world. As was the case in Raising the Bar, the goal is to present an alternative window on the worlds of those facing disabilities. Rather than focusing on the difficult conditions under which the subjects of the photos live, the show will offer a positive and forward-looking depiction of their lives.
The images in THE GIFT will not only inspire viewers everywhere, but will also provide uplift to the staff of U.N. offices hosting the show. Indeed, Raising the Bar energized UN workers who saw the exhibition and were reminded that their mission is to make the world better for everyone.
Mounting the Exhibition
The images in THE GIFT will be set up for as easy packing and shipping as a traveling exhibition. THE GIFT will first display in the large exhibit space in the U.N. lobby in late Fall of 2008, and then travel internationally to major U.N. offices and other notable venues.
UN offices that have expressed interest in this exhibition include:
| Johannesburg, South Africa | Moscow, Russia | |
| Sao Paolo, Brazil | Paris, France | |
| Tokyo, Japan | Geneva, Switzerland | |
| Beijing, China | Amman, Jordan | |
| Bangkok, Thailand | Belgrade, Serbia |
THE GIFT will offer sponsoring organizations an important opportunity to show their support for the disabled and underscore the importance of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Contact information
Prospective corporate and foundational sponsors interested in supporting this unique opportunity are invited to contact one of the following:
- Artemis Joukowsky III, Chairman , No Limits Media: 508-650- 2077
- Daniel Jones, Executive Director, No Limits Media: 617-817-3638
- Jan Arnesen, Director, United Nations Exhibitions: 212-963-8531
Links:
Contact No Limits Media.
Provide your support to this exhibition.
Find out more about the UN Convention..
