In The Moment: The Art & Photography of Harvey Finkle
About the Exhibition
The work of the Philadelphia-born photographer and activist Harvey Finkle offers an intimate view of the hardships, sacrifices, and joys experienced by members of the diverse communities and political movements he has engaged with over the course of his career. In the Moment explores photography’s ability to interrogate social inequities, arouse empathy, and inspire political action. Consisting of photographs that Finkle has taken over the past half-decade, the show surveys the multiple and sophisticated ways in which his work forges meaningful connections with its audiences. Guest-curated by Antongiulio Sorgini, categorical groupings take us through Finkle’s journey, chronicling the stories that shape our collective consciousness.
Behind The Scene: With Kasheem “The Dream” Peterson
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This shoot brought back a lot of memories. It started with a text from a very good friend of mine that recommended that I take a call from a guy who he thought I would find interesting to photograph. His name is Kasheem Peterson. I said ok I’ll respond should he try to contact me. Sure enough he did. Within minutes after responding to my friend’s recommendation Kasheem did indeed reach out. He said that he needed some new photographs and that he was in the adult film business. That statement was what brought back the memories of decades past when I was producing content for Penthouse and other high end adult magazines. Kasheem was well up to the task and made the transition from clothed to unclothed in the blink of an eye.
He arrived ahead of schedule. Which is always a good sign. He was polite, friendly, confident and ready to rock the set with a body that was defined by years of conditioning, discipline and lots of work in the gym. Instead of making him feel comfortable, he made the crew feel at ease while we produced some fabulous photographs for an industry in which he has become a Star.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the longest-serving Prime Minister of Israel, has been a polarizing figure in Israeli and global politics. While some hail him as a steadfast leader who has bolstered Israel’s security and economy, others argue that his prolonged tenure has been detrimental to the country’s democratic fabric, its societal cohesion, and its international standing. The case for Netanyahu’s removal from power is compelling for several reasons, including allegations of corruption, his divisive politics, and his approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Firstly, the corruption charges against Netanyahu undermine his credibility and the integrity of the Israeli government. Netanyahu has faced multiple investigations and charges, including bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. These allegations not only tarnish his personal reputation but also cast a shadow over the political system he leads. The ongoing legal battles have distracted the government from addressing pressing issues such as the economy, healthcare, and national security. A leader embroiled in such controversies cannot effectively govern or inspire public confidence, making a change in leadership necessary to restore trust in the government.
Secondly, Netanyahu’s political strategy has often relied on divisive tactics that have exacerbated societal divisions within Israel. His tenure has seen increased polarization between different segments of Israeli society, including secular and religious Jews, Jews and Arabs, and left-wing and right-wing factions. Netanyahu’s rhetoric and policies have sometimes fueled these divisions, prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term national unity. This divisiveness weakens the social fabric and hinders collective efforts to address common challenges. A leader who fosters unity rather than division is essential for Israel to move forward cohesively.
Thirdly, Netanyahu’s handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has drawn significant criticism both domestically and internationally. His hardline stance and expansion of settlements in the West Bank have been major obstacles to peace negotiations. These policies not only strain Israel’s relations with its neighbors but also with its allies, particularly the United States and European Union, who have repeatedly called for a two-state solution. The lack of progress toward a peaceful resolution perpetuates instability and violence, adversely affecting both Israelis and Palestinians. A new leadership approach is needed to break the deadlock and pursue a viable path to peace.
Moreover, Netanyahu’s extended grip on power raises concerns about democratic principles and the health of Israel’s political system. Long-term incumbency can lead to the concentration of power, weakening democratic institutions and processes. Netanyahu’s efforts to weaken the judiciary, control the media, and marginalize political opponents indicate an erosion of democratic norms. For a vibrant democracy, regular leadership changes are crucial to ensure accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to the people’s needs.
In conclusion, while Benjamin Netanyahu’s tenure has had its share of achievements, the arguments for his removal from power are substantial. Corruption charges, divisive politics, a stalled peace process, and threats to democratic integrity highlight the need for new leadership. Removing Netanyahu from power would provide an opportunity to restore public trust, heal societal divisions, reinvigorate the peace process, and strengthen democratic institutions in Israel.
I thoroughly enjoyed hosting KVaughn’s 100% linen scarf collection photo shoot for summer 2024. Veteran photographer Ted Kawalerski was the first to arrive driving in from Sleepy Hollow, New York. Since he was a little early we had breakfast and started to plan out his shooting strategy. He and I have been talking about KVaughn’s extraordinary work and for this shoot Ted wanted to participate because he knew there would be great fashion to photograph and amazing portraits to produce. Matt Sampson aka The Sneaker King and the rest of the crew followed shortly afterwards including KV’s creative assistant Milton White, photographer Brian Hunt drove his large van filled with camera and lighting equipment and his son aspiring model Larson Hunt enjoyed being photographed by all of the talented photographers on hand. Many thanks to my man AL B for his amazing video and still work as well as photographer Isiah from Blacklight Studios.
Besides the fact that Trump is now a convicted felon, with a pending sentencing hearing on July 11, 2024, other reasons are first and foremost Trump’s turbulent history with the black community stretches back decades. In 1989, he took out full-page ads in New York newspapers calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty after five black and Latino teenagers were accused of assaulting and raping a white female jogger in Central Park. Though they were later exonerated by DNA evidence after spending years in prison, Trump refused to admit his mistake.
As president from 2017-2021, Trump consistently downplayed issues like systemic racism, police brutality, and economic inequality disproportionately impacting black Americans. His administration’s harsh immigration crackdown and Muslim travel ban were seen by critics as thinly veiled appeals to white grievance.
Perhaps Trump’s most incendiary moment came after the deadly white supremacist rally in Charlottesville in 2017, when he condemned “hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides” rather than directly denouncing the racist extremists. His lukewarm response provoked a firestorm of criticism that he had emboldened far-right factions.
On matters of criminal justice reform, minority voters felt Trump’s gestures were too little, too late. His support for the broadly popular First Step Act reduced sentences for some non-violent drug offenders, but he took no meaningful action on larger issues like ending excessive force by police or discriminatory policies within the justice system.
Trump’s loud promotion of economic nationalism and restrictive immigration policies have also turned off many black men seeking upward mobility and entrepreneurship. His hard-line negotiating stance on free trade agreements and insistence on limiting pathways to legal immigration run counter to the interests of many black business owners and workers who depend on the free flow of labor, goods, and capital across borders.
More broadly, Trump’s divisive persona and penchant for inflammatory racial rhetoric alienate many black male voters who want a president offering a positive, forward-looking vision of an equitable, multi-racial democracy. His reactionary appeals to white resentment and unmistakable nostalgia for an earlier, less-diverse America ring hollow with younger generations of black men.
While Trump insists his policies have been a resounding success for minority citizens, it appears actions speak louder than words for this key constituency. Barring a drastic change in strategy, the former president seems likely to continue trailing badly with black male voters eager for leaders promoting racial comity over grievance politics.
