Our Town features Michael von Graffenried’s images of the people of New Bern over the last 17 years, starting in 2006 to the present. These photographs examine the current culture of the city, including racial and economic disparities, local celebrations and traditions, and ongoing life in our community. The exhibition focuses on and highlights the people of New Bern, and their daily lives, struggles, and successes. Our hope is to create a dialogue between various city wards, communities, and groups, about life in Our Town, including our shared past history and hopes as move towards the future. This exhibition will be a follow up to Michael’s original Our Town exhibition in 2006 for the 300-year anniversary of the city’s founding, which received a great deal of international press coverage and started many conversations.
Michael von Graffenried is a Swiss photographer living and working between Paris, Brooklyn, NY, and Switzerland. He started working as a photojournalist in 1978, travelling the world for numerous publications. Today he works on long-term projects using different kinds of media to showcase his artwork, such as open-air campaigns on public billboards and films. His work has appeared in numerous international magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times, Time, Newsweek, Life, Paris Match, Le Monde, GEO, Stern and El Pais.