On Dec 26th after hearing the news of the tsunami, I felt, as most of us had, an overwhelming compassion and urge to help. The idea came immediatly after I heard the news to gather the talents of everyone I know and host a photography show.

One month after the Indian Ocean Tsunami, an exhibition and auction of photography of South East Asia opened on New York's Lower East side to raise funds for reconstruction projects in the countries affected by the disaster.

click here to view a selection of photographs from the Spice auction
“I have no idea if this is a good picture or not, but I like the idea of what you are doing”

Spice, named to evoke the diversity of cultures and the variety of contributors involved, was hosted at the art and activism collective ABC No Rio, to raise money for Architecture for Humanity (AfH). AfH is the registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes architectural and design solutions to global, social and humanitarian crisis, bringing architectural services to communities in need.

”My photos are from a trip I took with my 83-year-old grandmother. My grandfather had always talked about his journeys through Asia during WWII. His memories were of the kindness of the people and the beautiful landscapes. My grandmother had never been there and at the age of 83 decided that she wanted to experience all the things my grandfather had reverently talked about...”

Reflecting personal connections to the events of December 26, 2004, we invited contributors to submit images that celebrate the life and people of India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Kenya, Somalia, The Seychelles, Maldives, Nicobar and Andaman Islands. Broadening insight into the region's vitality, prints of Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Singapore and Malaysia have also been accepted.


opening at the Carriage House

This group show harnesses the creativity, international outlook and collective spirit of compassionate globetrotters, and of professional and amateur photographers from all over the world. Photographers from across the United States, from India, Sri Lanka, Denmark, Russia and the United Kingdom have responded energetically to this word of mouth call for entries.

This anonymous exhibition features prints from many Magnum photographers including Martin Parr, Susan Mieselas, Steve McCurry and Burt Glinn. Film maker Frances Ford Coppola, National Geographic photographer David Alan Harvey and Ancient Marks photographer Chris Rainer have also contributed alongside Here is New York coordinator Charles Traub, director of Oscar winning Born into Brothels and Kids with Cameras founder Zana Briski and Bridges to Understanding activist, Amanda Koster.
“...a Buddhist sensei said so many years ago at my great aunt’s funeral ceremony, life is like a candle, so fragile, at any moment a gust of wind could blow it out. We have only this moment, we must see that it burns brightly and not worry so much for the future, for we cannot know it.”

Over the two weeks from January 27 th 2004, the exhibition organizers took bids for these prints at ABC No Rio in an ongoing auction until the show moved to the Carriage House Center on Wednesday February 9 th for the final night of bidding and a closing party where the identities of the photographers were revealed.

There are so many people that I would like to thank for making this happen Steve Englander at ABC No Rio for whipping our group into shape. Tom Wall for securing all the Magnum photographers. The two most hard-working women I know Yun Cee Ng and Magda Biernat. Brian Johnson and CRC lab in Chelsea for printing all the digital. Rachel Abrams for a perfect press release. Alexander Ploch , the most reliable person I know. All of the AFH volunteers who worked so hard especially Mark Pittsley, Victor Castillo, Pollyanna Rhee, Deanna Culbreath , Gabbie Sarhos, Linda and Chel O'Rielly, Catherine Aman. Thank you to my many friends that helped in any way they could especially Austin Kennedy , Lindsay Chandler-Alexander, Jake Dillard, Julie Fiener and Casey Kelbaugh .


bottom left-right Tom Wall-our man at Magnum, Pollyanna Rhee-cute and hardworking AFH volunteer, Mark Pittsley-The Genuis behind AFHNY holding a photo of Cameron-Director of AFH, Chel O'Reilley-food blagger, Steve Englander-Punk-Rock demi-God and our Guru, Yuncee Ng-G-mail mistress, Me, Victor-sharp dressing architect and member Spice Board of Directors, top Left to right Magda Beirnat-our woman in Magnum and my partner in crime, Rachel Abrams-English Rose Master press release writer. -photograph by Jennifer MacFarlane

 
”To call Indonesia paradise, would be an understatement. It is far more than what we can comprehend as serene. It is more than a land of enchanting beaches, ancient shrines, exotic winds, and endless seas. It is land of people. People who have the worlds biggest hearts and smiles.”
“... to me they are no longer   geographical locations but the homeland of people I shared a part of my life with...” “There is no way you can spend any length of time in SE Asia and not become a Buddha connoisseur.”

But ultimately the show would not be what it was, were it not for the photographers. Along with their photos they gave us support and shared their sympathies for out friends in Asia. This show grew and it what it is because of all of their compassionate souls.
For a list of all the contributers click here.