Through Our lens

ONLINE EXHIBITION PRESENTATION

Through Our Lens Home
Leslie Elsasser - Introduction
Selina Roman - Looking Inward, Seeing Clearer
Christian Cortes

Beginning (Section A)
Jarrett Gafford - US Air Force
Dawn S. Hargrett - US Navy
Rebekka Huneke - Daughter of US Air Force Veteran Father
Ramonita Rosa - US Army
Kimberlee Nicole Smith - US Army
Monika Sutton - Wife of US Army Veteran
Karl Young II - US Army Colonel (US Special Operations Command)

Advanced (Section B)
James Alexander - US Air Force
Manfredo Bobadilla - US Army
Wildalys Class - US Air Force
Agustin Collazo Jr. - US Marine Corps / US Navy
Amanda Dodd - US Army
Evan Fountain - US Air Force
Mikko Maki - US Marine Corps
Alicia Morales - US Army
RaeAnne Swanson - US Air Force

 

RAEANNE SWANSON - US Air Force

Life in Ten Photographs: Number Eight

Life in Ten Photographs: Number Eight is one picture in a series of ten photographic narratives that document the life of my friend Al. I see Al several days a week to help him with exercises, accompany him to appointments and activities, or take him out to the park or to his favorite lunch spot. This photograph, depicts him using his walker to steadily move down the hall to his room in an assisted living facility — “The Igloo,” as he calls it — at the end of a very full day.

This arduous walk, and his reflection in the hallway mirror, shows his strength as well as his weakness after a long day of getting in and out of my car, sitting in a doctor’s office waiting room, and enduring a monthly medical procedure. This picture represents the most physically draining part of his day and yet this smart, witty, and kindhearted ninety-six-year-old man is still in good spirits as he insists on walking to his room and not relinquishing control to a wheelchair.

This narrative series began as I took photographs to send to his family so they could see his progress after an extended stay in the hospital. The series Life in Ten Photographs ultimately became a ten-photograph series that captured the essence of a day in the life of a “young man” (which is how I greet him each day) who must resign himself to being ninety-six.

This photograph, as well as the other nine in the series, should not only be viewed as indicative of the life of a person older than ourselves, but should be a reminder to all of us that while we may feel young at heart, each day we grow older and may catch a glimpse of ourselves in the mirror and wonder why the person looking back is not who we expected to see.

RAEANNE SWANSON
US AIR FORCE

 

 

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For more information:
Email Leslie Elsasser at lelsasse@usf.edu

Breaking Barriers is a project by USFCAM in collaboration with the USF School of Art and Art History, with Support from the USF Office of Veterans Success, Community Arts Impact Grant Program of the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, Love IV Lawrence 2020 Waves of Change Grant, and additional support from the ACE Arts for Community Engagement Fund and the Florida Department of State.