The works of more than 30 street scene photographers have been brought together for the new exhibition ‘We Are Here: Scenes from the Streets’ on view at the International Center of Photography in New York.

The exhibition – an exploration of 50 years of contemporary public life, from the 1970s to the present day, is divided into six thematic sections.

Each section presents a different theme of public life, Ode to New York, Neighborhood and Community, Street Style, Self-Formation, Urban Landscapes, and Protest and Advocacy.

Featuring works by photographers from Algeria, China, Egypt, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the USA, the exhibition reframes the understanding of the ‘street’ and the activities and exchanges that occur in various community spaces. Documenting both dramatic and everyday moments, from street style to protests, the works bear witness to the resilience and commonalities of the human experience.

“Today’s world is fleeting, but these images prove that although circumstances may change, humanity is not going anywhere, the stories of our lives will remain,” says exhibition curator Isolde Brillmeier.

The exhibition highlights the diverse perspectives and techniques that define contemporary photographers and highlights the role of the street as a canvas for depicting change.

It also opens important discussions about how “the street” and public space are places of community, joy, self-expression, advocacy, changing landscapes and social dynamics as seen through the lens of the photographer, the exhibition description points out.

The exhibition featuring Maha Maamoun, Michael Wolf, Joseph Rodriguez among others opened in September and will run until January 6, 2025.

Photo source: icp.org