Oct. 1, Ben Arnon, a New York City-based visual journalist, will be bringing his most recent work, entitled “RIO,” to New York’s Chelsea Market. Arnon, who specializes in documentary reporting, street portraiture and the impact of human existence on urban landscapes, will be displaying a series of captivating images juxtaposing the everyday lives of Rio residents with heroic athletic images from the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Visitors will have the chance to view Arnon’s 22-piece exhibit daily throughout Chelsea Market’s concourse from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.
With his “RIO” exhibit, Arnon’s goal was to go beyond what is typically captured in Olympic photographs. Rather than simply focusing on the epic athleticism of the 2016 Olympics, Arnon’s photographs also highlight everyday life in Rio de Janeiro and the Olympic spirit that manifested itself beyond the sports venues.
“When I was 20 years old, I worked at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. I have always been a huge fan of the Games” explained Arnon. “I believe the Summer Olympic Games bring together a community of international people like nothing else, creating a spirit that doesn’t exist except during these Games. My goal was to capture this spirit in its entirety through my photography, and I hope the message of ‘RIO’ will really resonate with the diverse set of visitors that Chelsea Market attracts.”
The photographs in Arnon’s newest series provide an expansive view of Rio de Janeiro during the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Several of his images feature scenes from within various sports venues, some of which illustrate extraordinary human feats by celebrated athletes such as Usain Bolt, Michael Phelps and Simone Biles. Arnon portrays these images in black and white, allowing them to feel timeless and to stand out from his street scenes, which evoke both the spirit of daily living and the natural beauty that defines the energetic city of Rio.
“While media reports constantly attempted to disparage the city of Rio leading to and during the Games, in reality, Rio pulled off a remarkable event as residents proudly shared their city with millions of people from around the world,” explained Arnon. “This photographic series highlights the beauty and diversity that comprised a uniquely Brazilian Olympics full of pride, human warmth and empathy.”