Time Lens - Pearl Street 7.2.2

Time Lens - Pearl Street is an immersive documentary that employs a series of panoramic digital images to explore the swift gentrification of an urban neighborhood in Philadelphia. The project thoughtfully integrates voices, stories, aspirations, and memories from members of the largely overlooked homeless community, providing a compelling perspective on the evolving landscape.

The collaboration between artists Anula Shetty and Michael Kuetemeyer involved engaging with men from the “Overcomers” group at the Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission to create photographs, videos, and interviews that depict the neighborhood’s history, current conditions, and potential futures. Additionally, the project incorporates community-created pop-up cards by artist Colette Fu, crafted from stories and photographs contributed by local residents, emphasizing community participation and authentic storytelling.

Developed as part of the Asian Arts Initiative's Social Practice Lab, Time Lens - Pearl Street exemplifies a confluence of art, community engagement, and social exploration.

This project is a collaboration between Fire Work Media, Asian Arts Initiative, and the Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission. It was physically photographed, designed, and produced by Michael Kuetemeyer and Anula Shetty.

The project features contributions from members of the Overcomers Group at the Sunday Breakfast Rescue Mission—Jeffrey Harley, Ralph Sadler, Darryl Spells, Miguel Olmeda, Richard D. Harris Sr., Luis Gonzalez, Andray Angel, Charles Sampson, Clifford Douglas, Derrick Scott, Earnest Moody, Joseph Wilson, Josh Angeles, Kerry Dunbar, Michael Coles, Richard Lee, and Tyrone Jones—as well as community interviewees Andy Toy, Billy Dufala, Scott Kip, Steve Ziegler, and Wes.

Programming was overseen by Auston Stewart with additional support from Vahid Ajimine. Interface graphics were designed by Dan Kuetemeyer. The documentation process included contributions from Gabriela Loredo and Marshall Hoskins.

The initiative received funding from Asian Arts Initiative’s Social Practice Lab, Art Place, Philadelphia Cultural Fund—and also benefitted from a Vice Provost for the Arts Grant awarded to Temple University in Philadelphia.

Special acknowledgments go to Gayle Isa & Nancy Chen and Jeffery Harley for their ongoing support. The Social Practice Lab advisory team included Aimee Chang, Edgar Arceneaux, Meredith Warner, Pepon Osorio, Rick Lowe, and Sue Bell Yank. The program also benefited from the involvement of fellow artists-in-residence Ben Volta, Dave Kim, Kathryn Sclavi, Katya Gorker, Laura Deutch, Lee Tusman, Steve Parker, and Yowei Shaw.

The project was produced with collaboration from the Termite Tv Collective at Temple University’s Film & Media Arts department. ©2018 Fire Work Media.