7 Billion Others
A Good Planet Foundation Project, Video Exhibition by Yann
Arthus-Bertrand
Exhibition at the Museum of Photographic Arts, San Diego
February 21 – September 13, 2015
Article by Cathy Breslaw
The 7 Billion Others video
exhibition now on view at the Museum of Photographic Arts was the brain-child of Yann
Arthus-Bertrand, president of the Good Planet Foundation. This exhibition and its
premier showing in the United States will help audiences discover the humanist message of the inter-connectedness of all of us on this
planet. The project provides an immersive video
experience using interviews – with thematic updates occurring throughout its installation to continually
engage viewers during its 30 week run. The project began in 2003, as authors
Sybille d’Orgeval and Baptiste Rouget-Luchaire traveled with a team of reporters
visiting 84 countries recording the voices of men and women. Young and old, and
rich and poor speak in more than 50 languages, and represent many ethnicities, professions,
religions and social backgrounds. People present answers to questions in a touching and honest way and
with a generosity of spirit that is quintessentially human. Organizers posed 45
questions to more than 6,000 interviewees that span their thoughts on life,
death, politics, music, climate change, love, marriage, friendship,
forgiveness, anger, fear, joy and more. The exhibition opens with a 42 foot
long video mosaic of a multitude of faces, eyes, expressions and smiles,
reflecting their view of the world. There is also a film “Making Of” which
documents the ‘behind the scenes’
filming from the other side of the camera. The exhibition ends with
interviewees answering the question, “What message would
you like to address to the inhabitants on this planet?” There is also free internet
access with computers that visitors can use to contribute their testimonies on
the project’s website. 7 Billion Others will travel to 16
separate locations around the globe during its
exhibition run.
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