“People with Ability” is the tagline of Triangle, Inc., an organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities. And ability is exactly what you see when you look at the photographs by Annie Middleton featured in the exhibit “Ablevision Album” at the MATV Gallery.
The photographs in “Ablevision Album” follow the activities and the personal achievements of the participants of Ablevision, a television show produced by members of Triangle. Some 40 adults with disabilities collaborate to produce, direct, script, and star in an ongoing TV series that began in 2003, as a collaborative program between Triangle and MATV.
Middleton works as the Director of Human Resources at Triangle and has also helped oversee the Ablevision program from its beginnings. Although she believes her imagery is intimate, she feels her photographs are wholly respectful of her subjects. For her, photojournalism is the means to capture a personal history. She uses a Nikon digital SLR camera and edits her photographs in Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop CS3. She says of photography, “It is above all about intuition and spontaneity.” And Middleton believes that the photograph is still the most powerful medium because it captures and puts a spotlight on a decisive moment.
Of the Ablevision program, Middleton says, “The possibility for Ablevision to cover a wide range of events such as the Special Olympics has opened the doors to a large and interested audience. Ablevision participants have worked hard and they’ve learned a lot, such as interviewing, camerawork, studio setups, and sound recording. They are able to plan and produce a show from beginning to end. And they’ve come this far through their passion, commitment and creativity. And the best part: because of Triangle and MATV’s commitment to Ablevision the rest of the world is able to see that those with perceived disabilities have unlimited potential.”
Ablevision, in fact, is now cablecast on 40 other cable access centers as well as shown on the internet. You can check out the program at www.ablevision.org. Many of the photographs on the website were taken by Middleton.
Be sure to come by MATV between June 2 and July 17, 2008 to check out this wonderful and inspiring photography exhibit. A reception with the artist will be held on June 25 from 7:00 – 8:30pm. MATV is located at 145 Pleasant St. in Malden. The exhibit is free and the facility is handicapped accessible.
(Click on thumbnails to view larger image of photos.)
