Between Experience and Reality Exhibit

Between Experience and Reality

March 27 – April 24, 2024

The 2024 spring exhibition, Between Experience & Reality, presented an eclectic array of photography from Brookdale students and esteemed 20th-century artists but also pioneered a groundbreaking initiative in accessibility and technology integration within the realm of art interpretation.

Between Experience & Reality captivated audiences with its dynamic blend of traditional and contemporary photographic works. From intimate portraits to sweeping landscapes, the exhibition offered a thought-provoking exploration of human experiences and the ways photography intersects with reality.

At the heart of this exhibition was a revolutionary approach to art accessibility: Alt-Text. Based on Bojana Coklyat and Shannon Finnegan’s “Alt-Text-as-Poetry” model, which was presented by the Diversity and Inclusion department as part of their Disability Justice series earlier that year, this initiative was spearheaded by a collaborative effort involving authors Oudai Al-Shuaibi, Sophie Jimenez, Gianella Rios, Anna Boiarchuk, Amy Faris, David Levy, and Barbara Russo. It aimed to enrich the viewing experience for individuals with low or no vision. By providing descriptive text for select photographs, the CVA Gallery ensured that art remained inclusive and accessible to all community members.

The exhibition combined famous artworks from Brookdale’s collection by artists like Walker Evans, Danny Lyon, Ansel Adams, Arthur Tess, and Bruce Davidson with pieces from current and recent Brookdale photography students. This comparison encouraged discussions about how traditional and contemporary issues intersect in photography.