The Glass Between Us

Reflections on Urban Creatures

Photographer

Rebecca Norris Webb

Concept

In 1998, Rebecca Norris Webb wandered into the Coney Island aquarium, and spotted a white beluga whale soaring high above the heads of visitors, who were reflected in the glass tank. Thus began her exploration of the complex and vulnerable relationship that exists between people and animals in cities. Since then, Webb has photographed in some 25 cities around the world.

Webb captures not only the animal in its urban habitat, but the reflection of onlookers as they try to get a little bit closer, creating a richly layered image where the captive animals equally captivate their audience, who peer into the glass with complex and sometimes contradictory emotions: wonderment, concern, delight, empathy, humor, sadness, protectiveness. Her photographs convey both a sense of connection and isolation, intimacy and distance.

Ultimately, I feel fortunate to share the planet with such marvelous creatures, says Webb. Yet, the question still lingers: For how much longer?

www.theglassbetweenus.com

Biography

Rebecca Norris Webb, originally a poet and journalist, had her first NYC solo exhibition at Ricco Maresca Gallery in 2006, the same year her first book, The Glass Between Us, was published. Her series has also been included in several group exhibitions, including "Why Look at Animals?" at the George Eastman House Museum of Photography. Currently, she's working on a series of photographs in the American West called, My Dakota. Rebecca edits books with her husband and creative partner, Alex Webb, and teaches photography workshops with him around the world.

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