How We Live: New Photo Exhibit in LA Explores Poverty in Armenia

How We Live, an exhibit and book documenting life on the margins in Armenia, opens on March 26 and 27 at Casitas Studios in Los Angeles.

The exhibit, produced in collaboration with the Tufenkian Foundation, features photography by Sara Anjargolian and curatorial work by Narineh Mirzaeian.

According to the event’s Facebook page, as well as the How We Live website:

“For the first time in over a decade, poverty is on the rise in Armenia, with 28% of the population living below the poverty line, according to a 2009 World Bank report.

“Today, Armenia’s families struggling with poverty are living off garbage dumps, children are battling malnutrition, alcoholism and domestic violence have become commonplace, and families are sleeping in tin shacks.

“Through vivid photography and detailed video interviews, How We Live explores the crisis of poverty as told through the personal stories of several families living on the margins. The project illuminates the daily challenges of poverty and explores the socioeconomic and political basis upon which poverty exists and is perpetuated.

“How We Live features over 40 large prints suspended by an intricate tensile network of wires which draw the viewer into the lives of the people depicted and which represent the larger issues of societal connectedness or increasing disconnect.”

Organizers would like to add that all ticket and book sales benefit the Tufenkian Foundation’s poverty relief efforts in Armenia. The two-night opening launch party features a donor preview reception on March 26 followed by a general opening on March 27.

Photograph from exhibit invitation card.