118 PICS

Kashmir Cross Culture

Kashmir Cross Culture is a collaborative landscape and documentary project. I propose to create visual connections of this decades long conflict in a transformative way, through my photographs and those of Kashmiri photographers.

Kashmir Cross Culture is a collaborative landscape and documentary project, that seeks to create visual connections of this decades long conflict through my photographs and those of Kashmiri photographers. The stunning beauty of the landscape in Kashmir, known as a paradise on earth, will be contrasted by the recent massive,violent protests for independence from India that the Kashmiri photographers document daily. As I experienced last summer on the periphery, this movement has taken on an intensity and an urgency for freedom not seen in 18 years.
I was staying on a houseboat on Dal Lake when the violence started, shattering the vibrant tourist scene during the day and the tranquil nights. Within days all the Indian tourists who were on a pilgrimage to an important Hindu shrine disappeared. From the side of the houseboat I could glimpse the protests,and hear shots being fired and wanted to be there photographing these historic events. The family I was staying with felt it was far too dangerous, and unthinkable for a woman to be a part of documenting this. They would not take me in their wooden boat to the dock. I briefly considered swimming across; though it wasn't that far I wouldn't be able to swim with one hand while holding the camera in the air with the other hand. Finally, I realized the family was responsible for me, (all non-Indian tourists have to be registered at the Srinagar airport- and in my case officials made sure I was there), and I needed to honor their concerns.

Many Western photographers travel to Kashmir, but I rarely see the remarkable work that Kashmiri photojournalists are producing under difficult and volatile circumstances. These dramatic events are unfolding in one of the most militarised regions of the world, in India the largest democracy in the world. According to Meenakshi Ganguly, a senior researcher for Human Rights Watch "In the history books, Kashmir is going to be where justice completely failed the promises of Indian democracy."
I traveled to India after my life suddenly turned upside down. Two months after my 13 year career as a photographer for the New York Times ended, my boyfriend slipped into a coma from a brain stem tumor, and I had to make the decision to take him off life support and let him pass on.
I had been independently working on a book of dreamy landscapes in South America, Central America, and Africa but had never been to Asia. From my first trip, I found myself challenged physically, emotionally spiritually, and visually. It was quite overwhelming yet I have been drawn back against all reasonable advice two more times. I believe I have something to accomplish there, that is greater than my personal aspirations as a photographer.

I received funding from the Brooklyn Arts Council earlier this year, to have an exhibition of this project in the small but distinct Kashmiri community in Brooklyn, New York. Through our collaborative viewpoints displayed in Brooklyn, and hopefully New Delhi and Mumbai,a highly topical dialogue could be raised.

Additional funding will also allow me to return to create a multi- media presentation of this work.

Rank: 119

56 Comments

FatherJohn

I voted for you. Good luck. Don't forget to vote for yourself.

shabmerch

best of luck
- shabnam

Gurusurya

Looking forward to seeing the photos. Blessings,

estaton1

Lovely idea! I voted for you. Perhaps you can read my proposal and return the favor.

romadog

Nancy...Go girl! Greg

BenkoFengShui

This WILL happen!
Laura

adamjames

Good luck, I Voted for you! If you have a minute, please check out mine. "From Australia with Love" and please please please vote for it if you like it. Thanks and good luck.

trainer

Good luck Nancy. I voted for you.looking forward to see the photos.

Amazonian

Good ideas like yours that are not in the Top 100 are nearly impossible to find. This is unfair as many great ideas are hidden. Those of us in the “Sub-100” should work together to promote the best projects of the Sub-100 so that they can be in the Top 100 and be seen. Please vote for best Sub-100s!

nansie

thanks you guys, onward upward! some of my work on Kashmir can be viewed here:
http://pa.photoshelter.com/c/nancysiesel
and with music here:
www.lightstalkers.org/galleries/slideshow/10656

firegirl445

I have always wanted to do a project such as this and applaud you for your passion and courage. Best of luck to you in all you are endeavoring to accomplish.

yasindar

Good Luck Nancy........

altafqadri

I wish you all the best....

fredsiesel

tried to vote twice but the damn machine caught me.
Dad

ScottG

Great idea! Got my "pic".

ScottG
LS member

pjnrose

Best of luck Nansie - I used Adamo -thought that would be better!
You sure deserve to have this dream assignment!
Nikki

resBllr

This photographer has what it takes to connect and record what she envelopes herself in. I applaud her and hope she gets the opportunity to make this dream come reality. L L Rill

Lyndra

You have my vote! Best wishes! [email protected]

BorrotoFoto

Nacy, Hope all is well; you got my vote and my full support. Won't wish you luck because I know you have the skill, talent and friends to see you through. The dream is yours, the best.

Sincerely,
Julio

stopkillercoke

Nancy,
You have been such an enthusiastic supporter of human rights issues through all the phases of your photo-journalism career.
Your photographs have been an inspiration to many. Best of luck with your dream!
Ray

Copie

I voted for you Nancy,
Copie

robi

Good Luck Nancy
Robin

slsachs

Nancy, Best of luck and congrats for seizing life.
Susan

willbaxter

Cool idea, Kashmir is a great story -- voted for you, feel free to vote for my project on Zimbabwe.

bklynphoto

Great idea, you got my vote. If inspired, please vote for me too! Best of luck.

rigglord

Got your back..

pesi1us

Good stuff. Good pictures. Good Idea.

imaclellan

My photojournalism group had a trip to Kashmir two years ago. Very worthwhile project. Voted.

Check out my project on innovation and technology as change for the developing world and my portfolio here: http://maclellanimages.com/blog1/galleries/

cricketbug

Best of luck, Nancy. Cheers, Ethany

rob2121

It will be interesting to see the results !

markman

Nancy:

You got my vote. Good luck with this project.

Mark

RubyW

I have cast my vote for your project. Will forward information to friends and colleagues.
All the best.
Ruby

faheem

No matter you win this Dream assignment or not but your idea is great.
We are with you all the best.

nekokat

go nancy!

tigerlily

Hi Nasie good idea....heres my vote..please vote for mine if you like it!

georgeruhe

I hope you win Nancy. Travel safe. Remember: " A good traveller has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving." Lao Tzu (570-490 BC)

yee

congratulations--what a unique and beautiful project--am looking forward to seeing the final results. good luck--you have taken that many steps in your journey of a thousand steps. best always--hope my vote went in for you.
mky

cenicola

hello... best

ccshags

this is a great idea. I recently returned from India where I visited a program for gender vilence in Rajasthan. Hope you win! I also spent some time on a house boat on DAl lake in the 80's. Kashmir is a beautiful place.

susanfarley

Hey Nancy: I voted for you and wish you terrific luck!!

Susan

230mill

What a good idea..hope you are the lucky winner..there are great projects yout there but yours is terrific.

smarkisz

Hi Nansie:

Best of luck with your project!
Susan Markisz

ashlyallyn

Love it!!! Good luck! Stopkillercoke.org - Check it out

he421

I support the idea of independence for all peoples. But I fear that if they got it they will vote for an Islamic republic under Sharia law. But then again, it's their decision and they should be allowed to make it. Good luck Nansie, I hope you win. You have what it takes.

chanpark

77 pics, 44 comments, March 29, 2023
:)

markbussell

Great project! Do it. It is important to make it succeed. You have my support.

ednas

You've got my vote.

karenbaran

Ruby sent me, and I am so glad she did.
Best wishes to you.
karen

breadfruit

Looking forward to this exceptional project after you have won this contest Nancy!

jvidar

Good luck Nancy!

jd4sail

...excellent and worthwhile project, worthy photographer!
You got my "pic"...and Sailor's. Good luck and Godspeed to
a gutsy and talented photographer.

Joyce

hanskr

Hi,Nancy

I hope you to get your project!! you deserve it~~~

Hans Park from SBdesign

aijaz

Wish you all the best

parvaizbukhari

Being fair and honest will sail you through. Wish you the very best in your efforts.

toddphoto

I'm there for you. Hope you get this rare opportunity.
TOdd