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I caught up with the multi-faceted Joshua Sariñana to talk about his new project with the Somerville Arts Council, titled Through These Realities, that will seek six local poets and photographers of color, who will create a series of images, inspired by prompt-guided poetry from poets.

The project centers around racial social justice, poetry, and photography. The works will be judged by a panel, and winners will receive cash prizes. The works will be exhibited and appear on an online magazine.

According to his website, “Joshua Sariñana, PhD, took an interest in photography as his passion in the brain and mind started to develop. As he studied neuroscience at UCLA, MIT and as a Harvard research fellow, Sariñana began to switch his focus to the practice and theoretical study of photography.”

Doug Holder: A James Baldwin quote is used as a prompt for your project. Why?

Joshua Sariñana: The quote comes as a result from the protests that were sparked by the killing of George Floyd. For me, the protests stirred up the suppressed emotions that were built over a lifetime in viewing the violence onto Black and Brown people. Such violence is physiologically and emotionally detrimental.

To help make sense of the way I felt I started to read more of James Baldwin’s essays. I found his critique of American culture to resonate with my own experiences. His ability to create cultural content by the way of novels and plays, his critical writing, his essays, and his experiences with civil rights leaders are all powerfully interwoven. My collaborator and I wanted to work on a project combining our interests in poetry and photography. We felt that Baldwin’s work could offer a bridge between these distinct mediums.

DH: This project is exclusively for people of color. Is this because they are not adequately exposed in the arts?

JS: There’s lack of diversity in publishing and photography. As a result, readers are unable to witness the voices of these poets, writers, and photographers. I’ve been to many photography exhibitions and openings; I am often the only person of color. The use of photography in popular media is often used in a way that misrepresents people of color. This project gives people of color the opportunity to create a narrative from their perspective.

DH: What kind of poetry are you looking for, any genre or theme? And photography?

JS: All poetry is acceptable, except for concrete (shape) poetry. All photo-based work is eligible be it film, digital, tintype, camera-less, etc.

DH: The Somerville Arts Council is helping with this project. How?

JS: Our project is supported by a local cultural council grant received from the Somerville Arts Council.

Find out more at: https://www.throughreality.com/