We adorned the Thirst Gallery with ferns and branches from New York City’s dying Flower District. Nature filled photography helped transform the space — we had a series of plant photos by Raphael Ortiz as well as a variety of outdoor, still-lives by Sarah Rayne.
Amongst this, we had storytellers telling about putting down roots, finding room to grow, and thriving in difficult conditions. We shared stories about plants and plans, what we cut off to get here, and what new leaves have come from it.
Artists
Rafael Orlove remains on a continuing effort to photograph every good neon sign, yearning flower, and streetparked car in New York City. If you see any good cars out there, let him know @khamsindreams or raphael@jalopnik.com.
Sarah Rayne is a multi-disciplinary artist with strong roots in New York. She works with photography, music, writing, and other means of creative expression to document the beauty present in everyday life, and to share her heart’s truths.
Along with the usual: Alex Brook Lynn & Victoria Mendez
Storytellers
Hugo Perez is a filmmaker and writer whose work often focuses on his Cuban heritage.
Harry Siegel is a lifelong Brooklynite among other things, a senior editor at the Daily Beast, a columnist at the Daily News, and a visiting scholar at NYU's McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research where he co-hosts the FAQ NYC podcast.
Joann DeLuna is a bilingual journalist, radio producer and poet. She’s worked for several NPR shows including Latino USA and Radio Diaries. And she’s performed her poetry at the Nuyorican Poet’s Café, Lincoln Center, San Francisco Public Library, Bird & Beckett Bookstore, The Bushwick Starr Theater, and more.
Along with Eli Lake, Sophia Porotsky & Tommy Houlihan
And the usual: Steven Lynn, Alex Brook Lynn & Gracie Bialecki