Exploring Faces

The photographer-activist, JR , converts his pictures into posters and transforms streets into universal open-air galleries. From Los Angeles to Berlin, he keeps his independence and illegal exhibits in the streets, which he considers to be his very own gallery. With a 28 millimetre lens, portraits of people pulling faces, huge posters and anonymity, JR changes some basic rules. As people are asked not to smile but to make faces for the portrait, they are not subjects, but actors. JR aim is to shift thinking habits and reframe our stereotypes and prejudices. They are inspiring and beautiful photos . . . The 3rd stage of the 28 millimeters project – Women Are Heroes – has already led him in Africa in post-conflicting zones to shoot the women who wish to share painful stories and to testify of their desire to live. Their portraits have already been pasted in Sierra-leone and in Liberia. In 2008-2009, JR will develop this project in India and in Asia.