Curator's Statement

Water—this element that composes most of the earth, most of "us".
This substance, more precious than any other, more pursued, made pilgrimages to, Heroically trekked after, worshipped, valued, as well as undervalued—Water, The Giver Of Life, The Destroyer of Life, and, Destroyed by Our Life…

These outstanding images, selected for this exhibition portray Water, and the various ways it affects life on our fragile, thirsty planet. Depending on the whim of where you were born, Water will play a huge part of your day, risking even death, to acquire a small bucketful---or be thoughtlessly squandered, in the simply act of brushing your teeth. Water, an instrument for fun, work, energy, healing, killing, soothing, torturing, quenching, praying and sanctifying.

Captured in these compelling photographs, is the intimate, but tenuous, relationship with the REAL elixir, sustaining our world.  Water, like any great relationship, must be nurtured and cared for, as if our very lives depend on it—Because it does.

Susan Baraz

To see the list of images selected for exhibition click here

Susan Baraz was a founding member of Focus on AIDS, the largest global fine art photography benefit, which since 1987 has donated over 3 million dollars to AIDS organizations. She also serves as the Co-Chair of The Lucie Awards, and Head of Judges for the International Photography Awards, the most prestigious award honoring masters in photography. Baraz is an active panelist and portfolio reviewer for APA, ASMP, Palm Springs Photo Festival, Art Center College of Design, Academy of Art University, Otis Art Institute at Parsons School of Design, and Arles photography festivals. She has also served as an exhibition curator and book editor at The Museum of Tolerance Washington DC, Los Angeles Holocaust Museum, the International Photography Awards and various fine art galleries nationwide.