I AM: France

After teaching a digital photography class to elementary school children, one thing became clear – kids wanted to see themselves in pictures in any way, shape, or form. The stranger, the sillier, the closer, the better. The self-as-subject-matter became as much about art and identity, as it did about play, and the intrigue of looking at yourself in a kind of ‘magic mirror’. Watching the process, it was apparent that this kind of photography might be as integral to growing up as learning to swim, riding a bike or reading.

Invited to teach a workshop at the Louvre Musée des Arts Decoratifs Ateliers Enfants studio art program in Paris in November, 2009, a perfect opportunity was presented to experiment with the notion of the ‘interactive self-portrait’ on an international level. The playful curiosity of the children, once again, seemed inherent. The groundwork was laid to build an outreach program that would make the experience of self-portrait art and photography accessible to less fortunate and underprivileged children worldwide.

Very special thanks to Helene Du Plantier, Catherine Guillon, Leah Lieber.