RF Public Library opens Jacob A. Riis: How the Other Half Lives

Posted 9/21/21

RIVER FALLS – Jacob Riis (1849–1914) was a pioneering newspaper reporter and social reformer in New York at the turn of the 20th century. His then-novel idea of using photographs of the …

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RF Public Library opens Jacob A. Riis: How the Other Half Lives

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RIVER FALLS – Jacob Riis (1849–1914) was a pioneering newspaper reporter and social reformer in New York at the turn of the 20th century. His then-novel idea of using photographs of the city’s slums to illustrate the plight of impoverished residents established Riis as forerunner of modern photojournalism. Jacob A. Riis: How the Other Half Lives features photographs by Riis and his contemporaries, as well as his handwritten journals and personal correspondence. Jacob A. Riis: How the Other Half Lives is now featured at River Falls Public Library (140 Union St.) New York City was the epicenter of America’s thriving economy, but spawned the worst slums on earth. The Danish-born Riis emigrated to America at the age of 20, and after four years of living in poverty, started a successful career as a newspaper journalist for the New York Tribune and the Evening Star. Riis worked at night as a police reporter, often seeing the less polished side of New York City, the new home to many immigrants from throughout Europe.

By taking photographs to accompany his newspaper articles, Riis first began documenting the lives of the impoverished and the places they lived and took refuge. With the development of flash powder, he was able to illuminate nighttime images of those living and working in alleyways, tenements, and sweat shops, among other squalid places in the city. His interests in writing about “how the other half lived” grew, and over his lifetime Riis wrote many books about the urban poor that included his photographs.

Feeling that more could be done, Riis gave his first lantern slide lecture (a precursor to today’s digital presentations) featuring his photographs in 1888. He captivated audiences with stories of his experiences and began to tour the country delivering lectures, often in a crusade to advocate and bring about changes for the marginalized.

Through his lectures, many books, and his friendship with President Theodore Roosevelt (former Police Commissioner of New York), Riis advanced social reform in early 20th century America. His efforts led to increased awareness about the city’s underbelly and improved living conditions for children and adults. Riis considered himself a writer first, and his powerful images were not appreciated fully until a large trove of his glass negatives, lantern slides, and other photographs were pulled from the attic of his former home on Long Island in the 1940s, long after his death in 1914.

Visitors to the exhibition will experience a Riis presentation, immersive life-size photographs, as well as artifacts and personal documentation. Jacob A. Riis: How the Other Half Lives is adapted from the exhibition Jacob A. Riis: Revealing New York’s Other Half, organized by the Museum of the City of New York. The exhibition was curated by Bonnie Yochelson and co-presented by the Library of Congress. It was made possible with major grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Terra Foundation for American Arts, as well as support from D. Euan and Merete Baird, The Malkin Fund, Ronay and Richard L. Menschel, Queen Margrethe and Prince Henrick’s Foundation, C. Flemming and Judy Heilmann, Kan and Lotte Leschly, The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation, and the John L. Loeb Jr. Foundation. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Other events

Other activities to be held in conjunction with the exhibit:

•The Making of a Better Life: Immigration, Migration and Refugeeism in the United States Panel Discussion, Part I: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23 in the Lower Community Room or on the library’s Facebook Live or YouTube channel. Reception is at 6 p.m., followed by “Los Locheros” documentary screening 6:307 p.m. and panel discussion 7-8 p.m. Panelists include Puentes/Bridges member and Wisconsin dairy farmer John Rosenow; immigrant dairy farm employee and Puentes/Bridges member Roberto, who has 10 years’ experience; and Spanish/English interpreter and Puentes/Bridges Director Mercedes Falk.

•The Making of a Better Life: Immigration, Migration and Refugeeism in the United States Panel Discussion, Part II: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 30 in the Lower Community Room or on the library Facebook page or YouTube channel. Reception is 66:30 p.m., followed by a panel discussion 6:30-8 p.m. Panelists are Heydi and Jose, refugees seeking asylum from Honduras; attorney John Breslin, joining virtually to discuss immigration and refugees; Library Director Tanya Misselt will talk about “American Dirt,” a book by Jeanine Cummins (copies are available at the library for check-out); and Rosenow.

Mid-America Arts Alliance

Mid-America Arts Alliance strengthens and supports artists, cultural organizations and communities in the region primarily through national traveling exhibition programs, innovative leadership development and strategic grant-making. It’s committee to enriching cultural life of historically underserved communities by providing high quality, meaningful, and accessible arts and culture programs and services. They believe in more art for more people.

To learn more, visit www.maaa.org

Submitted by River Falls Public Library