photo | Duscan

I chose my coffee table for my subject because my day starts and finishes with that table. That is because I usually fall asleep on it. Then I get my strong coffee without sugar and enjoy the view from my balcony. -Duscan

To promote intercultural exchange, Briget Ganske, a co-founder of MCMP, brought the program halfway around the world to Niš, Serbia. Facing an economic recession, the citizens of Niš suffer from incredibly high unemployment rates. As Serbia moves to participate in the global economy, the need for English language training and skill building is growing. Even though teenagers in Niš have exposure to English through pop culture, they rarely have the opportunity to practice conversing with native English speakers. They are accustomed to their school’s lecture-based classes in science, math and history with no opportunity to be involved in creative arts.

photo | Anastajia

This world is a work of art. We are standing right in front of it, but few of us can see how remarkable, beautiful and perfect it really is. When you make other people see that kind of world through your photographs, then you are a real photographer. -Anastasija

photo | Peja

“Three Fists” represents the rebellious spirit and eternal resistance of Niš and its people. We won great battles and some are yet to be fought, because we all search for peace and freedom no matter the race, culture or religion. -Peja

Ganske adapted the MCMP program as an addition to the two-week English language course. She began her class by showing the Serbian students photos taken by Harlem students. Some of the Serbian students were surprised to see trees in New York and buildings that were not skyscrapers. They were also intrigued by the fact that kids in New York play baseball and other games in the park just like them.

photo | Mina

It is strange how people can’t see things which are in front of them all the time. I suppose that is a habit. We are used to one way of looking, so we don’t bother to try looking in different angles. That is how many beautiful and fulfilling things stay unnoticeable to our darting eye. -Mina

photo | Milena

Timmy is a big fan of nature. Fortunately, we have a big garden which he loves very much. He loves it so much that even though we told him hundreds of times not to go into the garden, he simply can’t resist it. He’s a really great buddy that you have to adore. -Milena

photo | Iva

During the day the bus stop turns into a real anthill. There are a few moments when it’s not that crowded. People come and go, come and go. -Iva

The program in Niš culminated in the students’ crafting a series of photographs accompanied by creative texts. Students photographed family members, pets, their neighborhood park and the bus stop near their homes. Paying attention to details that mattered to them taught the students to value their own point of view. By comparing their photographs with those from Harlem, they gained valuable intercultural skills. The students in Serbia realized the importance of arts education and now believe that it ought to be a component of their country’s curriculum. Danica, a Serbian participant, says, “Photography isn’t offered in our school, nor in any other public school in our country as far as I know. That’s a pity if you ask me.”

photo | Petar

You just stand there looking at me With those wonderful eyes of yours. Tell me, babe, what [do] you see? It is love, of course. -Poem written by Petar

five mcmp photographers are interviewed by briget ganske at the malcolm x center exhibition/youth conference. photo | courtesy of mentor thomas lee

I can’t stop looking for natural framing or movement in every photo I look at now. I definitely take photography more seriously. Photography is for me a way to express myself, a way to make others feel how I did while taking the photo and a way not to forget something that impacted me. -Danica

photo | Danica

I think that the project is a great avenue for our students to express their creativity through exploration of their community. In addition to learning new skills, our students benefit from having mentors through this project. They have also experienced having their work on display at a community center — quite an accomplishment for students in high school! —Stacy Winitt, Principal of New Heights Academy

While arts education provides valuable skills, it can also be a means for creative self-expression. In Harlem and Niš, art allowed two groups of students from very different parts of the world to learn about the issues that both communities face. Serbian student Milena says that she realizes how “photography is so universal and needs no translating to other languages. … I can upload my photos to the Internet and everyone can understand what I wanted to say.”

MCMP will continue as an official after-school activity in Harlem and as an ongoing summer language program in Niš. Through this project, today’s youth make global connections that promote intercultural understanding that enriches their lives.

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This entry was posted on Sunday, March 30th, 2008 at 12:05 pm and is filed under NEED Magazine, Photo Essays, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.