Atallah’s show features hand-worked Polaroid photographs, a narrative video installation, and delicate blue cyanotype prints. Using the Mediterranean as a point of reference, she explores the political nature of landscape through the medium photography.
Her group of Polaroid photos titled “34.5531° N, 18.0480° E,” gets its name from the Mediterranean Sea’s coordinates, and consists of views along southern European and western Asian coastlines, along with sun prints made from pebbles and small rocks, culled from the various beaches. The photos were deliberately damaged in the first 30 seconds of their development. Devoid of any human presence, these distorted landscapes depict the sea as a somber place.
The narrative video featured in the exhibition is called “A Moratorium on Looking.” The film showcases the Mediterranean Sea as a terrain of leisure and peril. Filmed in Mytilene (on the island of Lesbos) and Athens, it is a contemplation of photography and the act of seeing.
Also on display is the “Faces of Poseidon” series, which comprises digitally altered cyanotypes made from exposing sand to photosensitive fabric and digitally sourced images of Poseidon.
Atallah, who was born in Beirut, holds an MFA in photography from Parsons/The New School of Design. Her work has been exhibited in the United States and internationally, and is part of the Onassis Cultural Foundation’s collection in Athens. Atallah was also the 2015 recipient of the Georgia Fee Artist Residency in Paris.
Kent Place Gallery is on the campus of Kent Place School, 42 Norwood Avenue, Summit, NJ. Gallery hours are school days, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information call (908) 273-0900, or visit www.kentplace.org/gallery.
That's our mantra in robotics. Try crazy things, be free with your ideas, and see what happens. If you're going to build the future, you'll need to be a pioneer. –Emma, seventh grade
LEAN INTO DIFFICULTY.
When it comes to academics, it pays to challenge yourself. I'm in the Bioethics Symposium, presenting research on the ethics of genetically-enhanced intelligence. At times it's daunting—research, deadlines, time management—but it's also a whole new way of thinking. Very independent and "you-driven." –Isabella, sophomore
OWN YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE
It's one of the "conversation norms" we have at Kent Place, and it's always resonated with me. Everyone has a different and equally valid perspective to bring to the table—so put yourself out there. –Mary, senior
DON’T THINK YOU’RE GOING TO GET A LABEL.
There are no jocks here at Kent Place, no science geeks, no theater nerds. Last month a varsity athlete went to sing at the Vatican. Everyone here has some unique quality — and they’re amazing at what they do. –Claire, senior
REACH BEYOND WHAT YOU THINK YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH.
You'll face plenty of challenges, but push through them. Brilliant women use their resources: their teachers, our studios and library and, of course, each other. If you're stuck, collaboration can almost always get you across the finish line. –Suzanne Carreno-Powers, Math Teacher and STEM Coordinator
GET READY FOR RIGOROUS WORK.
And multiple extracurricular activities. Busy days, and a few late nights. But through it all, don’t lose your sense of fun. –Alessandra, junior
MAKE CONNECTIONS.
KPS alumnae are amazing. I met one alumna after a math and science panel who works in retail architecture. That made me think about a cool way to combine two of my interests — math and fashion. –Amber, junior
YOUR TIME AT KPS IS GOING TO OPEN UP OPTIONS YOU HADN'T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT.
And when it's time to choose, you're going to know yourself so well, you'll pick the college that's the best fit for you—academically, socially, personally. So don't get tunnel vision. This is your process. Just know that you'll be ready! –Jennifer Simpson, Director of College Advising
SOLVING PROBLEMS IS A JOURNEY, ENJOY THE RIDE!
In the Middle School we do a Science Expo—either two or four people work on a science project for a couple of months and then present it to the entire class. We go into some in-depth projects and it’s incredible what we learn along the way, and how willing our teachers are to help us through the tough parts. –Toni Ann, eighth grade
SPEAK YOUR MIND.
Every girl here learns from an early age how to speak up and speak to adults. You never feel silly raising your hand, and you’re given lots of opportunities to speak publicly. I’m never shy about saying what’s on my mind. –Vittoria, fourth grade
ETHICS WILL CHANGE YOUR ENTIRE OUTLOOK.
Right away, we tackled questions of "right versus right." We're learning to look at every issue from both sides, which helps with everything from homework to friendships. –Elizabeth, eighth grade