~The caption beneath the baby boy's portrait on the left discusses China's controversial 1 Child Policy (1978-2015?).~Eric Lafforgue is a French photographer who became famous on flickr for colorful portraits of people throughout the world. His photographs and notes from far removed places are especially exciting to see and read. "Portraits of Asia" is his exhibit running currently outside Central World mall in Bangkok. There's a lot to do here. 'Can't wait for the Fulbright conference mid March!
With crowds of shoppers and other passersby attending a nearby festival, the exhibit attracted a lot of attention when I visited. Each beautiful, arresting photo measures about 1 meter in length. Labels in English and Thai share a few brief facts the artist felt were relevant. 
~Muslim school girl in Java, Indonesia~At times, the cheerful smiles of Lafforgue's portrait sitters contrast with mixed messages in the provided text. They highlight his subject's stark realities. He expresses a slightly pessimistic view of modernization's threat to diversity and the cultures he photographs. Of course one would be mistaken to think the world is going to stand still for someone to take a picture and freeze time. He acknowledges that his work has a globalizing effect on the more remote places he visits.
~Long neck woman in N. Thailand. The reality is that some villages have become pay-to-see attractions.~ To his credit, Lafforgue is a passionate, life-long traveler. Photos of his journeys stream continuously on Flickr. To the benefit of viewers, his portraits are breathtaking testaments to the world's diverse and ever changing community. Here I've posted a few that stuck with me.
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