The exhibit “Class of 2020” photographed by Elias Williams, and displayed at the intersection of 7th ave and 45th street is a tribute to the graduate of 2020. Due to the on going pandemic that has affected educational systems around the world, most New York’s school decided to hold graduation ceremonies online. Through her project, Williams captured the stories of students in different grades.
The exposition gathers three big cubes with each side covered by a picture of a student wearing his/her gown and accompanied by his/her story.
Student Bianca Colon can be seen wearing a blue smoky eyeshadow matching the blue and orange of her outfit, and a colorful mask. The recent graduate from the High School of Art and Design explained that her graduation ceremony took place online back in June. Colon expressed sadness about following classes online but is more nervous about the virus coming back. “I already lost my senior year, I don’t want to lost my freshman year in college,” she said to Williams.
What was interesting about the exposition was the fact that the photographer captured graduate students in different grades. From kindergarten, passing by high school, to college, the artist made sure to represent a diversity of students.
I personally enjoyed the exhibit because I found it relatable. As a transfer student, I’ve graduated from a community college in the Fall 2019 and was waiting for my graduation ceremony in May 2020. Unfortunately the ceremony took place online, and my family didn’t come to New York like planned since January. Through her work, Elias Williams still give joy to the students by giving them the opportunity to share their story.
Finally, there’s to some extent an international angle to this piece of art, as Williams invites her viewers to think about how COVID-19 has affected education which concern students all over the globe.
