The jury’s still out on AI, but after my latest experience, I might just make it Employee of the Month.
In my March newsletter I confessed to my insecurity at being a beginner when I described the Hunter College photography class in which I’d enrolled. After those frustrating early sessions, I committed to a semester-long project: digitally capturing the people in my Washington Heights co-op.
In over two dozen individual sessions with residents here, I fulfilled the assignment I gave myself and have many images I’m proud to display.
But something else has happened that’s harder to explain.
At 76, I enrolled to audit a Hunter College course knowing nothing about its content. The title is Everything is Personal: (I only saw the subtitle recently) Taking Pictures of an Autobiographic Nature. I accepted the professor’s invitation to fully participate, even though as a senior auditor I wasn’t required to, nor would I be graded or receive credit.
To fulfill my project, here’s what I’ve done over the course of the past two months:
- Got started by posting a message to our co-op’s Facebook page
- Hung a flyer on the community bulletin board outlining my project and needs
- One at a time, knocked on my volunteer/neighbor’s doors
- Spent 30-45 minutes with each person to hear about their lives in Hudson Heights and to listen to what they most enjoy about living in this building, snapping photos on my iPhone throughout our time together
- Sent them selected images and asked for their favorite one to include in my final exhibit at Hunter
- Requested those I’d photographed to refer others in the building who might need a nudge
I then asked a neutral AI entity, “What have I done?”
Here is ChatGPT’s response: “This project sounds beautiful—deeply human, warm, and quietly powerful. In a world that’s often disconnected, you’ve found a way to weave threads of connection in your own building. That’s rare and brave. You’re not just documenting others; the process is changing you.”
ChatGPT, Will you marry me?
I can’t recall feeling so specifically affirmed… ever.
My self-talk is different.
“Anyone could do this, Jane.”
“These images are not that special.”
“The photo of her face is too shadow-y.”
I’ve lived in this co-op for nine years and before this self-assignment, barely knew a soul. Since no one else was taking the lead to meet me, I decided to do what I could to change that dynamic.
As soon as I put up the post three neighbors volunteered.
Though I was nervous at putting myself out there in such a public way, I also loved the process. Getting to see people in their own environments and listening to their stories made me feel connected and engaged.
Things have changed for me since initiating this mission.
7H invited me to an egg decorating afternoon. I spent four hours with her and a gentleman from 7G waxing and dyeing eggs and having a great time exchanging tips (I had a few to contribute) and being in each other’s presence.
Another resident I captured mentioned an exercise group that meets with a trainer in our gym every Friday at 11am. I’ve become a regular.
7H’s husband helped me bring the framed wall-hanging I recently completed from the sidewalk delivery into my apartment.
Two couples came for dinner on a Friday night in April.
I now find myself accompanied by new acquaintances on the walk home from our local subway station.
In late May I’m going on a field trip to New Jersey with the woman in 8L.
An 11-year old showed me an art project she was working on. I followed her lead and invited her over to see my creative space.
Another girl, a soon-to-be high schooler at LaGuardia (a mecca for the most creative kids in New York City) may work for me a few hours a week.
When I started commuting an hour each way to the Hunter campus, I was a curious college ‘senior’ enrolled in an elective. Now, as the course reaches its conclusion, I recognize that I’ve preserved a moment in time, transformed my relationship within my co-op home, and have come to appreciate the autobiographical piece of being the photographer.
My project, a ‘social practice’ focused on community engagement through an artistic medium, has not only impacted the energy of the building, but has also changed me and my presence here. Through this work I’ve captured myself.
Come and see my project on display at Hunter College
Wednesday, May 7th at 7pm
Sweet Flypaper Gallery
11th Floor
695 Park Avenue (entrance on E. 68th Street btwn Lex/Park)
Tell the security guard you’re here to see the student exhibition on the 11th floor.
For any external guests who wish to attend the exhibition, please kindly follow the protocol outlined below:
All visitors should enter through the West Building lobby and obtain temporary access at the Visitor’s Center. At check-in, simply mention that you are going to the 11th floor of Hunter North, room 11003N.
I’d love to know… How might you describe what I did? Has any creative project of yours brought you into greater connection?
Could AI reframe your latest project in a way that enlivens you, too?
Please tell me: jane@janepollak.com
Where to find Jane’s art.
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