The Young House Exhibit

Overview

• The exhibit comprises two main sections featuring works by Leah Denbock and Willie Baronet.
• Focuses on the issue of homelessness and aims to humanize it through art and storytelling.

Leah Denbock's Contribution

• A Canadian photographer who began meeting and photographing homeless people worldwide since age 15.
• Her work includes photographs and stories capturing the diverse reasons for homelessness.
• Emphasizes the human element by focusing on the subjects' eyes in portraits.
• Gallery approach involved a salon-style display with 40 selected portraits from over 600 photographed.

Willie Baronet's Contribution

• Known for purchasing signs from homeless individuals across the country for 31 years.
• Creates large-scale collage installation pieces using these signs.
• Signs vary from humorous to sad, reflecting diverse messages and appeals for compassion.
• Originally uncomfortable with eye contact with homeless people, the project helped overcome this.

Data and Public Health

• The space between the two exhibits presents data on homelessness.
• Highlights the number of unhoused people in Philadelphia and the US, risk factors, and public health issues.
• Statistics position homelessness as a public health crisis.
• Recent stats: 12% increase in homelessness in 2023, with 5,000 homeless in Philadelphia.

Interpretive Exhibition

• This exhibit is the second collaborative effort between Denbock and Baronet.
• Aimed to bring attention to the human stories behind photographs, signs, and statistics.
• Highlights the role of public health and societal factors in homelessness.

Installation and Design

• Work done with Gecko Group for exhibition design.
• Leah's gallery involved precise installation with portraits spaced an inch and a half apart.
• Baronet's installations were spontaneous and evolved on-site.

Societal and Health Implications

• Homelessness is linked to public health risks and is a reflection of larger societal issues.
• Many homeless individuals have medical conditions that are exacerbated by their situation.
• Addresses misconceptions: homelessness is not a genetic or communicable condition.

College of Physicians' Role

• Historical role in public health, dating back to efforts against yellow fever.
• Continues mission by raising awareness of contemporary public health issues like homelessness.

Visitor Engagement

• Interactive elements like talk-back walls encourage visitors to reflect on homelessness and share thoughts.
• Prompts include questions on the meaning of home and personal experiences with homelessness.
• Aims to foster empathy and encourage public action through art.

Conclusion

• Exhibit seeks to humanize homelessness and prompt societal action.
• Encourages respect, empathy, and recognition of the homeless as individuals deserving of dignity.
• Hopes to drive public engagement and policy goals through increased awareness.