Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Explained

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
Birth Date:23 December 1968
Birth Place:Guayama, Puerto Rico
Nationality:Puerto Rican
Credits:2004

En Foco New Works Photography Award. 2007: Artist of the Year, Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester

Manuel Rivera-Ortiz (born December 23, 1968) is a stateside Puerto Rican photographer.[1] [2] [3] He is best known for his social documentary photography of people's living conditions in less developed nations.[4] [5] [6] [7] Rivera-Ortiz lives in Rochester, New York, and in Zurich.

Life and work

Rivera-Ortiz was born into a poor family in the barrio of Pozo Hondo, outside Guayama on the Caribbean coast of Puerto Rico, the eldest of ten children (including four half-siblings and two stepsisters).[8] He grew up in a corrugated tin shack with dirt floors devoid of running water.[9] [10] His father hand-chopped sugar cane in the fields of Central Machete and Central Aguirre in the declining days of the Puerto Rican sugar industry, and, following the Zafra or sugar-harvesting season, labored as a migrant farmworker in New England and the Mid-Atlantic states.[11]

When Rivera-Ortiz was 11 years old, his parents separated and his father moved with the children to the USA mainland in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The separation from his mother, whom he has not seen since, had a profound effect on Rivera-Ortiz. He attended classes at Mt. Holyoke and Springfield colleges as part of the Massachusetts Migrant Education summer program, where he was offered his first courses in photography and film development. The family later moved to Rochester, New York.[12]

After attending East High School (Rochester, New York) Rivera-Ortiz worked as a journalist. In 1995, he graduated cum laude with a B.A. degree as an English major from Nazareth College, and in 1998, he received his Master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Rivera-Ortiz was the 2024 Commencement speaker of Nazareth University and also received an honorary doctorate from the university for his achievements.[12] His alma mater Nazareth College became a university in 2023 after 99 years of existence.[13]

Following his graduation, he worked as a journalist for newspapers (e.g. Democrat and Chronicle)[14] and magazines (e.g. Elle), but soon turned to photojournalism and documentary photography. In 2001, he began traveling as a freelance photographer with an emphasis on social issues and has exhibited his work in photographic exhibitions.[8] [15]

Traveling widely, his photography focuses on humanitarian issues often ignored by mainstream media.[16] His work is included in museum and corporate collections, including George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film,[17] [18] [19] the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts Berne.[20] In 2004, he received En Foco's New Works Photography Award,[21] [22] and in 2007 the Artist of the Year Award of the Arts & Cultural Council for Greater Rochester.[23]

In 2002, he photographed Cuba, comparing what he found there to the Puerto Rico of his youth.[24] He has exhibited photographs showing the dignity of the Dalit ("Untouchable") Caste of India[8] [25] and the Aymara living in the arid altiplano of Bolivia.[26] He has also photographed people from Kenya to Turkey to Thailand.[11] His work has been featured in the April 2008 issue of Rangefinder magazine. In 2010, Rivera-Ortiz visited Dharavi and Baiganwadi and took pictures of daily life in these two Mumbai slums. In 2011, he documented the September 11 Commemorations in Shanksville, Pennsylvania for the French photography organization 24h.com.[27] In 2012, the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism featured Rivera-Ortiz' work on poverty in the developing world in its collection of 50 Great Stories produced by alumni over the past century.[28]

The work of Manuel Rivera-Ortiz demonstrates that social documentary as activism still continues to exist in the modern world.[29]

Rivera-Ortiz can be classified as a social realist with his focus on social issues and the hardships of everyday life.[30] [31]

Publications

Publications by Rivera-Ortiz

Publications with others

Publications edited by Rivera-Ortiz

Exhibitions

Selected solo exhibitions

Selected group exhibitions

The Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation for Documentary Photography & Film

The Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation for Documentary Photography & Film is a non-profit private operating foundation headquartered in Rochester, New York. Rivera-Ortiz established the Foundation in 2010 to support underrepresented photographers and filmmakers from less developed countries with awards, grants, exhibitions, and educational programs.[46] [47] The foundation operates an exhibition space in Arles, France.[48]

Collections

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Manuel Rivera-Ortiz. Prix Pictet. 2013-06-22.
  2. News: Josh . Austin . Famous Documentary Photographers . Photography Arts Cafe . 2010-12-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110714071930/http://www.photography-art-cafe.com/famous-photographer-list.html . 2011-07-14 . dead .
  3. News: Chris . Gampat . This Week in Photography History: The Birth of Manuel Rivera-Ortiz . 2012-12-26 . The Photographer . 2012-12-27 . https://archive.today/20130204143805/http://www.thephoblographer.com/2012/12/26/this-week-in-photography-history-the-birth-of-manuel-rivera-ortiz/ . 2013-02-04 . dead .
  4. Democrat & Chronicle April 3, 2005, pg C1
  5. Metropolitan Magazine; Arts & Cultural Council, Rochester NY, cover story Spring 2007
  6. Web site: The next Manuel Rivera-Ortiz? . The Esther Benjamins Trust . 2010-07-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111007114741/http://www.ebtrust.org.uk/news/doc_photo_workshop.html . 2011-10-07 .
  7. http://vams.pasadena.edu/~rspercey/GENRE_DESCRIPTIONS.htm Pasadena City College (Visual Arts & Media Studies)
  8. News: Stuart . Low . Poverty's portrait . 2006-12-17 . Rochester Democrat and Chronicle . https://archive.today/20130201074911/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/democratandchronicle/access/1748102681.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+17,+2006&author=Stuart+Low&pub=Rochester+Democrat+and+Chronicle&edition=&startpage=C.3&desc=Poverty's+portrait . dead . February 1, 2013 . C.3 (cover story, Section C) . 2010-12-29 .
  9. News: Manuel . Rivera-Ortiz . A Journey of Self-Discovery . April 2008 . Rangefinder, the Magazine for Professional Photographers . 126 . 2010-04-10 .
  10. News: Glennie Seychew . Christa . January 2007 . An Interview with Photographer Manuel Rivera-Ortiz . Buffalo Rising . 2010-03-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110708103449/http://archive.buffalorising.com/city/archives/2007/01/an_interview_with_photogr.php . 2011-07-08 . dead .
  11. Web site: Picturing My Life. New York Foundation for the Arts. 2010-01-27. https://web.archive.org/web/20110615135104/http://www.nyfa.org/level3.asp?id=403&fid=6&sid=17. 2011-06-15. dead.
  12. News: Nazareth University’s 2024 Commencement speaker is photographer Manuel Rivera-Ortiz. Nazareth University. 2024-03-27 .
  13. News: David . Andreatta . Nazareth College becomes Nazareth University. WXXI News. 2024-03-27 .
  14. News: Jack . Garner . Manuel Rivera-Ortiz brings beauty to poor in India . 2016-02-18 . Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. 2016-03-16 .
  15. News: Alejandro . Malo . Documentary Art. ZoneZero. 2010-12-18 .
  16. News: Nikita . Puri . A photographer shares his frames from the fringes. 2015-11-12 . Business Standard. 2015-11-13 .
  17. http://www.eastmanhouse.org/media/annual-reports/2006.insert.pdf GEH (2006), George Eastman House, International Museum of Photography & Film, Annual Report 2006, p. 9
  18. ConXion Magazine, interview February 2007, pg. 10-11
  19. http://www.kunstmuseumbern.ch/index.cfm?nav=1245,1398&DID=9&SID=2 The collection in the museum of fine arts Berne
  20. Web site: The Jury. 2016-11-29. IFAP. en-US. 2019-04-23.
  21. Web site: Manuel Rivera-Ortiz. En Foco. 2010-10-14. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100628063207/http://www.enfoco.org/index.php/photographers/photographer/rivera_ortiz_manuel/. 2010-06-28.
  22. Nueva Luz Magazine, Vol. 11, No. 2, pgs. 2-9, 2006.
  23. Web site: Arts Awards Recipients. Arts and Cultural Council for Greater Rochester. 2010-01-27. 2018-11-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20181116095513/http://artsrochester.org/AAL/PastHonorees.htm. dead.
  24. ConXion Magazine cover story, August 2004
  25. Web site: Kodak Presents Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Exhibit of India. Imaging Info. 2010-03-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20120229164233/http://www.imaginginfo.com/web/online/Industry-News/Kodak-Presents-Manuel-Rivera-Ortiz-Exhibit-of-India-and-Corresponding-Works-on-Canvas-/4$2499. 2012-02-29. dead.
  26. ConXion Magazine cover story August 2005, pgs. 10-11
  27. http://www.24h.com/photographe-evenement-24h.php?evt=45&phA=153 24h.com Manuel Rivera-Ortiz
  28. Web site: Columbia Journalism School . 2012-04-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120617155925/http://centennial.journalism.columbia.edu/2001-the-faces-of-poverty/ . 2012-06-17 . dead .
  29. News: Rob . Townsend . Research point: Forgotten communities . 2016-01-27 . Gesture & Meaning. 2016-02-06 .
  30. News: Kelly . Korzun . Book Review: India A Celebration of Life by Manuel Rivera-Ortiz . 2015-11-24 . Musée Magazine . 2015-11-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151208180719/http://museemagazine.com/culture/reviews/book-review-india-a-celebration-of-life-by-manuel-rivera-ortiz/ . 2015-12-08 .
  31. News: Marjua . Estevez . WorldPhotographyDay: 5 Latin Photographers With Unique World Views . 2015-08-19 . Vibe. 2015-11-28 .
  32. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, July 30, 2004, p. I.61 (Insider Section)
  33. http://www.enfoco.org/index.php/programs/exhibit/manuel_rivera_ortiz_cuba/ En Foco Exhibitions
  34. News: Manuel Rivera-Ortiz images to grace City Hall Link Gallery. November 20, 2006 . City of Rochester. https://web.archive.org/web/20130517234247/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1165854931.html . dead . May 17, 2013 . 2011-11-27 .
  35. http://artvoice.com/issues/v6n10/bigger_small_built_works Artvoice
  36. Democrat & Chronicle, August 27, 2004, page 24, Section I
  37. Web site: Hardships shape his images. https://web.archive.org/web/20121104004040/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/democratandchronicle/access/1804489531.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Aug+27,+2004&author=Tim+Karan&pub=Rochester+Democrat+and+Chronicle&edition=&startpage=I.24&desc=Hardships+shape+his+images. dead. November 4, 2012. Democrat and Chronicle. 2010-09-27.
  38. News: Longwood Art Gallery Past Exhibitions And Events. Bronx Council on the Arts. 2010-12-04 .
  39. News: VIAJEROS: North American Artist/ Photographers' Images of Cuba. Lehigh University Art Galleries. 2011-09-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20111004052631/http://www.luag.org/pages/viewfull.cfm?ElementID=192. 2011-10-04. dead.
  40. Miami Herald, April 5, 2007
  41. News: Art Off the Main 2007 . 2010-11-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110713180451/http://lacasadelatrio.com/slideshow/gallery/past/3/ . 2011-07-13 . dead .
  42. Web site: Voies off . 2013-07-06 . 2015-07-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150708002207/http://voies-off.com/index.php/manuel-rivera-ortiz-foundation-2013 . dead .
  43. https://archive.today/20130708062239/http://lejournaldelaphotographie.com/entries/11992/arles-2013-off-galerie-huit Le Journal de la Photographie
  44. http://www.parisphoto.com/paris/artists/manuel-rivera-ortiz Paris Photo 2015
  45. News: Arles 2019 : Hey! What's Going On? – Manuel Rivera-Ortiz: The Forgotten Children of Ahmedabad. 2019-07-16 . The Eye of Photography. 2019-07-16 .
  46. Web site: Argentine Photographer Gustavo Jononovich Awarded Manuel Rivera-Ortiz Foundation Grant. The Wall Street Journal. 2012-07-21.
  47. http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/10/16/the-faces-of-statehood-supporters-in-indias-northeast/?_r=0 The New York Times
  48. News: Guillaume . Crouzet . A ne pas rater aux Rencontres photographiques d'Arles . 6 August 2016. L'Express . 2016-09-17 . fr .
  49. "Manuel Rivera-Ortiz", in Lori Marie Carlson, ed., Voices in first Person: Reflections on Latino Identity (New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2008;); available here at Google Books.
  50. http://search.nelson-atkins.org/collections/a-z-artist.cfm?lname=R Nelson-Atkins Museum Collection Database

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