Michael Forster Rothbart: After Chernobyl

Michael Forster Rothbart spent 2 years in Chernobyl documenting the lives of the everyday joys and sorrows of life of the people who stayed after the world’s worst nuclear accident in 1986. Forster Rothbart says “Most outsiders think Chernobyl is a place of danger and despair, and so this is what they photograph. For me, however, Chernobyl tells a story about endurance and hope.” Forster Rothbart, from Oneonta, N.Y., has traveled the world exploring the impacts of environmental contamination. He is now working on a new project, Fracking Pennsylvania, documenting the effects of natural gas drilling on rural communities. The “After Chernobyl” exhibit is traveling to communities worried about their own nuclear contamination. Through the exhibit and public forums he hopes to start a dialogue for communities to identify their problems and work together to find solutions. Forster Rothbart’s “After Chernobyl” exhibit has toured recently to Chicago, Madison, New York City and Philadelphia.

Additional Events during this exhibit!

Feb. 3, 5:30 pm – After Chernobyl exhibit opens. Brief artist’s talk 6 pm.

Feb. 25 – 10 am to 4 pm – Photojournalism workshop focusing on nuclear power. Taught by Michael Forster Rothbart at the In-Sight Photography Project. www.insight-photography.org/The_In-Sight_Photography_Project.html

Feb. 26 – 2 pm – Public forum discussing how Vermont Yankee has affected our community for better and worse. This is not a debate but a chance for people on both sides of the issue to listen and fully hear each other. Forum moderated by Michael Forster Rothbart at VCP.

For more information, please visit Michael Forster Rothbart’s web site at www.afterchernobyl.com

The exhibit will end on Sunday, February 26.

The Vermont Center for Photography, a 501-3-(c) non-profit gallery featuring fine art photography, was founded in 1998. The gallery represents photographers from Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York, promoting a regional community of photographers.The Gallery is located at 49 Flat Street next to the parking garage in downtown Brattleboro, Vermont. Gallery hours are Friday, 1 to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.; or by appointment. For directions or information, please call 802-251-6051. or visit the website at vcphoto.org.

Selection of images from the exhibition: