Photographer captures unique prospective

By Ryan Summers

Some people say a picture is worth a thousand words. They can capture our attention or even sho* us things we never imagined. But most importantly, pictures tell a story through the eyes of the photographer.

Opening last Tuesday and running through May 13 in the Sobrato Hall Lobby, the El Salvador Photography Exhibit features photographs taken by Art and Art History professor David Pace and poems written by Juan Velasco, a professor in English Department and Department of Modern Languages and Literature.

Sponsored by the Bannan Center for Jesuit Education and the Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Center for Community-Based Learning, the exhibit showcases portraits of El Salvadorans as well as poetry that offers an interesting perspective on life.

Inspired by their trip to El Salvador last September, Pace and Velasco wanted to do something to inform the Santa Clara community about what they saw, so they created an exhibit featuring photos and poetry that captures the essence of their journey.

"Most of the pictures I took are portraits of people we met on the street. They sho* two things: human dignity and they put a face on the people of El Salvador. The pictures personalize the situation and convey the strengths and individuality of each person," Pace said.

In addition to summarizing their experience, the men's exhibit promotes social justice.

"Our interest in sponsoring this event is that the men's work and experience in El Salvador helps us promote our commitment to the Jesuit ideal of faith and justice here at Santa Clara," said Jane Najour, Bannan Center receptionist for the exhibit.

Pace and Velasco, along with nine other faculty and staff members, went to San Salvador, El Salvador, last September on an annual faculty immersion trip.

Revealing a war-torn country that faces much poverty and corruption, the trip exposed faculty to a completely different way of life. Visiting several areas of the city that have no running water or electricity, the group got to see what El Salvadoran life is like.

"The idea is to allo* them the experience of being in a foreign country and engaging with people of a different culture and history. It opens up the possibility of seeing the world in a different way," said Laurie Laird, program director for faculty and student development.

After experiencing it for themselves, faculty members recognized the importance of these immersion trips through their connection with global issues and foreign perspective.

"There are two reasons why these trips are important. One, they sho* you what's going on in the rest of the world and two, it's important to see ho* other people live. As Americans, we have a big effect on the rest of the world. It's important to be aware of our ramifications of involvement," Pace said.

Although the trip had negative connotations, the group discovered many things which surprised them.

"I realized there is something positive. The people there have great optimism and a strong sense of family, tradition, and community. I was surprised at ho* resilient they seemed to be. Some of the things we couldn't live without, they are used to not having. Even in a town with no water, they came together to make their situation better," Pace said.

While the exhibit shows many values and "puts a face with a concept," it tries to make you think.

"It will spark an interesting change that makes you ask questions," Pace said.

*Contact Ryan Summers at (408) 554-4546 or rsummers@scu.edu.