NEW YORK—The news of late has been delivered in percentages: The 99 percent protesting Wall Street privilege and misconduct; Longstanding Republican support for tax cuts benefiting the wealthiest 1 percent; and Presidential candidate Mitt Romney recently commenting that 47 percent of Americans pay no income tax, are dependent upon government and will vote for President Obama no matter what.
Building on this theme, three artists offer “The Seven Percent,” a Chashama exhibition that explores the lives of wealthy Indians—described as ex-nobility, professionals and business people—benefitting from the rapid growth in the nation’s economy. Through photographic portraits, video testimonials and intriguing still lifes of their table settings after meals, photographers Reed Young and Michael de Pasquale, along with writer Annalisa Merelli tell the story of this elite group.
Chashama is a nonprofit organization that transforms vacant properties into public exhibition space for artists. “The Seven Percent” is on view at Chashama’s 303 Gallery at 303 10th Avenue from Oct. 4 to Oct. 16, 2012.
All photos © Arts Observer
