In the Loop
Press Release : Nov 17, 2014

Focus Gallery Presents Nowhere to Go: The Haiti Housing Crisis November 10-December 5

University Galleries at the University of Florida (UF) is pleased to present Nowhere to Go: The Haiti Housing Crisis made possible by the UF International Center in conjunction with International Education Week. The exhibit, which is on display in Focus Gallery Nov.  10, 2014 through Dec. 5, 2014, is a multimedia look at the housing crisis that continues to affect Haiti nearly five years since a devastating earthquake.

This exhibit will provide the public with an on-the-ground perspective from Haiti, allowing them to learn about the problems that have forced Haitians “under tents.” Through a series of special events on Nov. 19, 2014, including a film screening, interactive photography exhibition and panel discussion, attendees will learn about pressing international issues including disaster aid, development and reconstruction.

The film, Mozayik, is the story of Augustin Mona and his fight against the forced eviction of his tent camp. When his camp falls through the cracks, Mona must navigate the maze of international organizations, government agencies and businesses trying to rebuild the country. In addition, the Self-Portrait Project (SPP) will provide an interactive photography exhibition. The SPP is a visual archive project, using a two-way mirror and a remote trigger to enable the user to take photos of him/herself. Working in collaboration with grassroots housing collectives in Haiti, the SPP visited displacement camps throughout Port-au-Prince and outlying areas, allowing residents to take self-portraits. The project puts a face on the Haiti housing crisis, pressuring governments and organizations to address the issue from the community perspective. 

Schedule of Events for November 19:

  • 5:30 p.m., Fine Art Lecture Hall, Fine Arts B 105: Join us for a panel discussion moderated by Jeremy Lambeth, a Master of Sustainable Development Practice candidate, on the housing crisis in Haiti featuring Bertrhude Albert, CEO and founder, Projects for Haiti; Michael Amish, executive director, Barrels of Hope; Florence Sergile, faculty coordinator, Feed the Future West (Haiti Project), UF IFAS; and Dr. James G. Sullivan, director of undergraduate programs, UF School of Design, Construction and Planning.
  • 6:20 p.m., Fine Art Lecture Hall, Fine Arts B 105: Film screen of Jon Bougher’s Mozayik
  • 6:50-8:00 p.m., Focus Gallery, Fine Arts Building C: Reception for Nowhere to Go: The Haiti Housing Crisis
  • 7:15 p.m., Focus Gallery, Fine Arts Building C: Q&A session with Andy Lin about his Self-Portrait Project in Haiti    

Jon Bougher is an independent documentary filmmaker, videographer and editor whose work has brought him to Haiti, Afghanistan, Nicaragua, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Armenia and Ethiopia. His documentary films have screened at film festivals across the world and broadcasted nationally in the United States, while his video journalism has been seen on PRI’s The World, Wired.com, Reason TV and the Global Post. Bougher has also developed documentary media workshops and lectured of media representation. He lives in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and teaches documentary film and video journalism. To learn more, visit jonbougher.com.

Andy Lin is a co-founder of Other Worlds, a multi-media non-profit dedicated to documenting and disseminating case studies of living, breathing, alternative economies around the globe. He is the creator and administrator of the Self-Portrait Project, a visual archive project whose goal is to empower people in the creation of their own images. A National Geographic award-winning photographer, Lin calls the Lower East Side of New York City his home. To learn more, visit selfportraitproject.com.

About University Galleries

University Galleries is comprised of three art galleries at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, Fla., and is an integral part of the programs and curricula of the School of Art + Art History.

University Gallery, located at the intersection of SW 13th Street and SW 4th Avenue, provides high-quality, thought-provoking exhibitions changing every two to 12 weeks that engage the university and wider community in stimulating dialogue facilitated by contemporary visual language and culture. For the past 12 years the University Gallery has collaborated with myriad UF colleges, community and regional entities in creating a trans-disciplinary venue for the visual arts. Exhibitions feature internationally-recognized artists, an annual faculty exhibition, a juried student art show and two MFA graduating thesis project shows. The 3,000 square foot space is a lively, exciting venue that is utilized for many events throughout the academic year. University Gallery is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursdays: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; and Saturdays: 12 p.m.–4 p.m. The gallery is closed Mondays, Sundays and holidays.

Focus Gallery is an 850-square-foot space that presents monthly exhibitions of student-curated exhibitions featuring student and alumni artworks. Focus Gallery is located adjacent to the lobby of the School of Art + Art History’s Fine Art Building C. Focus Gallery is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and is closed weekends and holidays.

Grinter Gallery is located in the lobby area of Grinter Hall. Established by an endowment from Linton and Constance Grinter, its primary mission is to present international and multicultural artwork through student curated exhibitions. Grinter Gallery is open Monday through Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and is closed weekends and holidays.

Parking Information

Daytime parking is available in reserved spaces between Fine Arts Building C (FAC) and Inner Road. From SW 13th Street, enter campus on Museum Drive. Turn right on Newell Drive, then right on Inner Road. Turn left into the parking lot behind FAC. The first three spaces on the left are reserved for gallery use. Parking permits are issued to gallery visitors in the University Gallery.

For more information, please contact the University Gallery at (352) 273-3000.

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Media Contact
Leah Craig
Public Relations and Marketing Manager
University of Florida College of the Arts
Office: 352.273.1489 | Cell: 904.419.3346 
lcraig@arts.ufl.edu