See the people of Cincinnati through the lens of local photographer Michael Wilson in his exhibit They Knew Not My Name, and I Knew Not Their Faces. The exhibit, also part of the FotoFocus 2018 event, is on display Sept. 7–Dec. 31 at the Main Library and 10 branches.
Wilson’s black-and-white portraits were made in a portable studio, eliminating reference to place and simplifying the visual elements of the picture to the subject’s face, clothing, and gesture. The portable studio was set up in neighborhoods across Cincinnati and Hamilton County, in most cases outside of various branches of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.
This year’s unifying theme for FotoFocus is “Open Archive,” which examines our fundamental need to tell stories through the collection, organization, interpretation and preservation of photographs. FotoFocus runs Oct. 4–7 and features more than 80 projects in galleries and museums in Greater Cincinnati and surrounding areas.
They Knew Not My Name, and I Knew Not Their Faces is on view at the Main Library with smaller satellite exhibits at the branch libraries where those particular portraits were made: College Hill, Forest Park, Green Township, Greenhills, Groesbeck, Harrison, Mariemont, Norwood, Reading, and Walnut Hills.
A book accompanies the exhibition with supporting text by acclaimed writer R.J. Smith. There is an opening reception and artist talk 7–9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at the Main Library, 800 Vine St. It is free and open to the public. For more information about Wilson’s exhibit or Fotofocus, visit https://cinlib.org/2OroEHn. Contact the Library at 513-369-6900.
