On Cafecito

"As photography fragments and evolves, Cafecito: A Proclamation of Presence celebrates photographers & photographic makers who boldly proclaim their stories through their own visual language. We honor past reclamation work, yet this is not about recovering lost narratives: it’s about asserting presence, power, and possibility in the now. While AI and technology reshape image-making, the photographers in this exhibition demonstrate why human connection in photography grows increasingly vital.

Their work reveals how visual storytelling, despite its evolving forms, continues to weave threads of understanding between communities, generations, and cultures. Through layers of meaning, each image becomes a proclamation of identity, community, and the enduring power of human perspective. The exhibition features 31 image-makers who have participated in Cafecito’s 1:1 sessions and highlights selected series of work that declare and create a foundation for the future as photography evolves.

Throughout the exhibition, mirrors placed among photographs invite visitors to see themselves in this visual conversation. The interactive space asks, “Share a moment that deserves to be captured and remembered,” encouraging visitors to participate in this proclamation of presence. By reflecting on what deserves to be seen, we collectively assert the importance of human perspective in visual storytelling during this pivotal moment of technological transformation." - Nicole Motta, Fresh Mercado