Blurry Borders Photographs by Kristan Emerson

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About

Brockville and Mildura, Australia share a "linked" heritage. Mildura was founded, in large part, by the Chaffey brothers, George (1848-1932) and William (1856-1926), natives of Brockville. The Chaffeys were the world's preeminent irrigation engineers in the 1880's when they began development of an irrigation project in Victoria State, Australia that would become present day Mildura.

This commonality led to the creation of Sister City status between the two cities, which like any sibling relationship has waxed and waned. Beyond the Chaffey connection the cities share many similarities including vibrant cultural communities.

Brockville Culture Days 2020, with its new digital component seems a perfect opportunity, when the two "sisters" seek to renew and bolster their relationship, to share this commonality. When approached about participating in this year's celebration Helen Piscioneri, Marketing & Development Leader, for Mildura Arts Centre replied, "During such difficult times due to the pandemic, what better way to connect people than through arts and culture."

We thank Helen and the Mildura Arts Centre for sharing this video tour of their facility. For us in Brockville a part of a home away from home, and a postcard from a much cherished sister. We hope you enjoy exploring this "connection".

Photographer Kristan Emerson has been shooting the world on his overseas travels since 2016. On their own, the photographs are beautiful – but take into account that the photographer has 3% vision in only one eye and you won’t believe what he can capture.

Blurry Borders features images from Pakistan, Myanmar, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh. The photographs were taken as a way for Kristan to see and experience the world using digital technology.

'My eyes do not have lenses but my camera does. It is my way of seeing detail in an otherwise blurry world.' Kristan’s photographs are accompanied by his unique stories of the places he has visited. The narratives also describe how and why he takes photographs while being legally blind’

Organizer

Brockville Culture Days

Brockville Culture Days is a community grassroots organization dedicated to promoting arts and culture year round. As much a networking and facilitation group it encourages the exploration and formation of linkages between artists in different milieu, disciplines and creative communities to explore the art of possibility.