Stuart K. 
, Jun 20, 2004; 06:07 a.m.
I stumbled across an exhibition yesterday by the photographer Tom
Stoddard called iWitness. Simply stunning.
The exhibition's website can be found here.
The website is a bit flaky but it is possible to view the images. I
can't seem to retrive any other information from the site. I've added
a brief note(from memory) about each category
Famine - Refers to the Famine in Sudan. One picture shows a young boy
on his knees trying to retrieve a bag of maize stolen from him by a
wealthy citizen. Another shows a baby being delivered while an older
relative lies dying/dead.
Siege - The Siege in Sarajevo. The people who are running in some of
the picture are not running to catch a bus etc but are running to
aviod the sharpshooters as they cross Sniper's Alley
Exodus - Can't remember, sorry
Cleansing - Ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. The colour pics were not taken
by Stoddard but by Kosovans. Stoddard had found them.
Floods - In Mozambique
Earthquake - In Gujurat, India
Loss - 9/11
Conflict - Royal Marines in Iraq.
Scourge - AIDS in Africa.
Dont know when the exhibition ends but it started Friday (18th) and
can be found outside City Hall, London. I'm going back today.
Lucas Griego 
, Jun 20, 2004; 10:46 a.m.
Response to Tom Stoddard & iWitness
Stuart,
This should be a really good exhibition to see. I wish this kind of thing made it to Asia more. Sigh.
Many of the images are really strong. The ones of the people running to cross 'Snipers Alley' in Sarajevo always strike me as really spooky. Man by comparison my days are easy.
The first shots on famine are miserable. I mean not as photographs but the situation - what a dire mess. It always strikes me as weird when you see shots like this in such a slick presentation like this website - with the trendy i-Witness logotype givin' it all that. I don't really know how I'd do it any different but it still bugs me for some reason. It reminds me of the debates brought about by one of Salgado's or Natcheways book that is a big coffee table volume. The images of hell taken and put into something so slick.
Anyhow - thank's for the info on this site. I wish that there were some captions with 'em as well.
John Falkenstine , Jun 20, 2004; 02:02 p.m.
Response to Tom Stoddard & iWitness
Unfortunately, I live in Tucson AZ and can only see the netsite and its images. Tucson's art / photography culture is a bit inbred and rarely offers any exhibits of interest outside the Center for Creative Photography, which has completely lost its ability to advertise itself. My current hopes are resting with MOCA and its less restrictive attitudes on Art and Photography
Stuart K. , Jun 20, 2004; 02:23 p.m.
Response to Tom Stoddard & iWitness
I've just done a search on amazon and a book of the photos is to be published in September - search for iWitness. Hopefully some of the monies will go to the Disasters Emergency Commitee.
I was particuarly drawn to the images of Sarajevo. The idea of going about one's *normal* business whilst having to cope with snipers is very spooky. And this went on for a couple of years. From memory I think about 1500 children were killed by snipers.
Kent Tolley , Jun 20, 2004; 03:25 p.m.
Response To Tom Stoddart & iWitness
These images brought me to tears. How shallow our preoccupation with pictures like this week's POW of the pretty girl at the expense of seeing these. THIS is the highest achievement in photography for me. They go right to the heart.
Sandeha Lynch , Jun 21, 2004; 11:03 a.m.
Response to Tom Stoddard & iWitness
They are superb shots. Thanks for posting it, Stuart.
Stuart K. , Jun 21, 2004; 02:14 p.m.
Update
Went down to the exhibition this morning (monday) and there were two guys wiping down the exhibits (its an outdoor installation and we'd had some rain yesterday). I asked the first guy how long the exhibition would last and he said all summer. When I said I was bowled over by the photos the guy asked me if I knew who the other guy was. I didn't and it was in fact the photographer Tom Stoddart.
I nearly fainted. We had a little chat me asking stupid questions in giggly-girly fashion. Very modest chap.
Managed to pick up a book of the exhibition called iWitness - didn't ask for an autograph! If anyone is interested in the book, the ISBN is 1904563295 and is published by trolley ltd.
Kent Tolley , Jun 21, 2004; 04:54 p.m.
Response to Tom Stoddard & iWitness
I am grateful you posted this addy. I am inspired and enriched by these images. I asked and management's policy is not to link to other sites from the homepage unless they are affiliates. Personally I would like to see photography such as this promoted here more actively. Thank you for your offering to this community. I want the book!
Lucas Griego , Jun 23, 2004; 02:22 a.m.
Thanks for the update. Man, lucky you. I could rant on about how good shows don't make it to Asia much - but anyhow...
Yeah most of the guys I personally know that shoot anything similar tend to be quite modest - or sometimes actually quite cagey. A friend of mine is putting together a book on East Timor at the moment and has shot in many dire places/conflicts in the past 10-15 years. He will always be the last person to even bring up photography when out for a beer.
Stuart K. , Jun 23, 2004; 04:49 a.m.
Lucas,
When you friends book is published can you let us know.
Cheers,
stuart
