The Mirror Project: A Portrait of Urban Inequality

Abstract

Photography has historically played a vital role in highlighting urban inequality, as seen in the work of Jacob Riis documenting late 19th-century New York City. Today, amidst ongoing gentrification, traditional mapping methods often fall short in capturing the lived experiences of communities. To address this, my thesis proposes using photography to document contemporary urban inequality in New York City. By engaging native or local New Yorker photographers and providing them with free black-and-white film rolls, the project aims to create an authentic archive of images reflecting the realities of gentrification. This approach not only offers a nuanced understanding of the phenomenon but also serves as a catalyst for empathy, dialogue, and action among policymakers, activists, and the broader public. Ultimately, the project seeks to empower communities and contribute to more equitable urban development.