Annenberg Space for Photography

(Teru Kuwayama will focus on the ill-defined region now known as “the central front” in the war on terror. This region includes the failing states of Afghanistan and Pakistan and the conflicted border regions shared by Pakistan with Afghanistan and India. The photographs were made between 2002 and 2009 in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier Province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and Pakistan and Indian administered Kashmir.)

Teru and the space completely blew me away. The Annenberg Space is located on top a roof in Century City brilliantly surrounded by over powering high rises. When I first walked into the space I was fluttered instantly by some of the most compelling images I have ever seen in person. Starting with a brilliant portrait of President Obama. The exhibit is filled with American politics and international affairs. Following the snake like walls, curving around into a room of about 75 chairs. I took a seat until Teru was introduced to the crowd. Truely this was a treat. A treat which was so generously given to photography fans alike. My favorite thing Teru spoke about was that an embedded photographer doesn't get to witness Afghanistan or Pakistan. They get to witness Marines in Afghanistan or Pakistan. "There just isn't any connection with the land, when most people imagine arriving, they think of RPG's going off as soon as the plane touches down. Men in turbans going to all costs to destroy you. They forget that this is a beautfiul place in the world with beautiful people."

Teru took it upon himself to fall off the grid and make his own travel arrangments. If they were not correctly executed, he and his brilliant images would have ended up gone for ever. Very few images of his are digital. He even (for some reason or another) toted around a large Poloroid through deserts and what happends to be the largest land locked glacier in the world. (Tajikistan) Really this guy is just incredible. Started as a moody, dark art photographer and documented one of the most important and diverse regions in the world today.