Conversations with History: Institute of International Studies, UC Berkeley

See the Conversations with History Blog See a webcast of this interview: Ewald

This interview is part of the Institute's "Conversations with History" series, and uses Internet technology to share with the public Berkeley's distinction as a global forum for ideas.

Welcome to a Conversation With History. I'm Harry Kreisler of the Institute of International Studies. Our guest today is Wendy Ewald, photographer, writer, and educator. She travels the world teaching photography to children with the aim of empowering them to see more clearly and to tell their stories to the world. Her books include Appalachian Women: Three Generations; Portraits and Dreams: Photographs and Stories by Children of the Appalachians; Magic Eyes: Scenes from an Andean Childhood; and I Dreamed I Had a Girl in My Pocket: The Story of an Indian Village.

1. Background ... childhood ... early influences ... mentors ... teaching in the Detroit schools
2. Philosophy ... artist as educator ... defining relationship to subject ... giving children cameras ... helping children see ... empowered to see
3. Kids and Cameras ... parents' reactions ... kids as photographers ... common themes ... social context
4. World Traveler ... choosing where to work ... research ... working with community groups
5. Case Study: India ... handling logistics ... unfamiliarity of photographs ... caste ... re-thinking photography ... empowering children
6. Conclusion ... children's understanding ... photography as a passport

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