"As I observed almost four years ago about Project Lives—the book of photographic self-portrayals by New York public housing residents, with imagery intertwining revelatory text—it is always inspiring to see the scorned and disenfranchised take control of their lives. Now comes the book and documentary Second Chance Lives about cameras turned over to the city's probationers, the latest effort by the non-profit Seeing for Ourselves.
Once again, we recognize how connected we all remain.
Once again, the photographs open our eyes and warm our hearts.
Once again, our concerns for social justice broaden and deepen."
--NOAM CHOMSKY
Project Lives, 2013
Upholding universal values and the common ground beneath our feet
No one benefits from looking down on those less fortunate. Yet this behavior ensnares
so many of us from time to time—possibly a hard-wired tendency of humanity.
But why not encourage, as a great president termed it, the better angels of our nature? Seeing for Ourselves aims to reduce perceived differences among us and
promote solidarity with others riding this blue planet.
Providing the tools, training, and global outreach to those marginalized in our image-dominated culture so they take charge of their own public narrative forms our mission.
Project Lives, 2012
Second Chance Lives (working title), 2019
Second Chance Lives (working title), 2019
Our work has served:
2.6 million American
housing project residents
3.7 million Americans
serving a probation term
Hunter East Harlem Gallery February 2016: Project Lives
