PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A new photography exhibit examining the evolution of one Philly neighborhood has opened in Rittenhouse Square.
Fishtown photographer Jaime Alvarez is one of two artists showcasing his work this month at Commonweal Gallery, located at 1607 Latimer St. His photographs over the last five years, which he also shares on Instagram, are a commentary on the redevelopment that surrounds him.
“They’re about the changing of the landscape in Fishtown; a lot of buildings coming down and new buildings coming up,” he explained.
Photographer Sheldon Omar Abba’s photos also depict the landscape where he lives.
“Girard Avenue is a representation of what we’re seeing everywhere, which is an unflinching amount of development that’s happened,” he noted. “The development is not stopping for anyone, including the people I think that have given the character to these neighborhoods and have made them places where people want to live.”
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Abba has noticed that the Philly landscape is constantly in motion. Upscale apartments have popped up next to areas that have had more low-income housing.
“If I miss a weekend or a week, a building might disappear and something else might pop up and even I can’t remember necessarily what was there,” he said.
Commonweal Gallery owner Alex Conner was drawn to their work. “I want artists who are speaking to particularly Philadelphia conversations that also relate to ones on a national, and maybe on a global, level.”
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That's why Alvarez sees himself as more than an artist.
“As photographers, we play a role in archiving history. That’s sort of the way I see myself.”
The exhibit runs through March 12.