When The Gibbons Sing
Conversation w/ Allison Hanes. NYC, NY/2019 The gibbons are acrobatic mammals. Primates that swing gracefully through the rain forest. Primates that will sing long, complex songs together – echoing for miles throughout the forest. They have inspired poets. They are deeply rooted in folklore. They are unique. They are endangered. I remember this day fondly. It left a massive impression on me. Less the wall of fame, less the historical significance of the building, less the stories caught in the air but my host, Allison Hanes. To preface a bit, Allison invited me to sit and let me take a few shots at the Explorers Club. The club was founded in New York City in 1904, and has served as a meeting point for explorers and scientists worldwide. A multi-floor building with taxidermy and artifacts from around the world, dated mostly, but impressive no less. She invited me to sit and discuss her work. To say the least, I sat in the presence of a giant. Her work largely centers around animals. She is a documentary filmmaker and biologist. She is bicoastal, a Banana Slug alum, and has a deep care for living beings. A deep care she expressed with concern and passion. Animal safety. Increasing awareness on endangered species. Protecting our animal ecosystem. A taste of areas she dedicates her energy towards. She has a calling. She is also not satisfied with being on the sideline. She is a doer leveraging any and all platforms to drive that awareness. With a few IG scrolls you will get a snapshot, first hand, of this mover and shaker. Posting from a session at the United Nations one day, lending her services at a veterinary clinic in Brooklyn another day, and rounding out the week screening a documentary she worked on. She makes global and local impact line up easily - in a way that makes it doable. I asked her to touch on a project from 2018, The Great Call. A documentary multimedia project highlighting gibbon song within the soundscapes of the Bornean rainforest. Her story began with how majestic and incredible it is to experience waking up in a place where mornings awaken when the gibbons sing. Reflecting on these photos, the skylight and weather helped me capture a bright spot in this building. The walls behind Allison appear full, lined to the T, largely recognizing men from expeditions past. They contributed greatly to our understanding of the world. Where are the women? I got lost in thought for a second, where will people like her be recognized? I think we owe the biggest room to those building empathy, awareness, and care for the world. To the women inspiring the next generation of explorers. Can you do what you love? Can you combine passion and work? I believe you can. Making that happen is a marathon, not a race. That road is tough but it contributes to a richer experience for the audience and the maker. It helps us understand the world through another lens, it helps us get another perspective, it helps inspire others to do the same. Allison was generous to share her work with me. She made me a believer. Website: http://onehealthproductions.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/onehealthproductions/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/thegreatcall/ In Gratitude, Mauricio Orantes