Photography Wide Open: Photography as Aesthetic Experience
- Union Square New York, NY
- 2026-09-25
- 17:00
Join us for a photography-based aesthetic experience designed to expand the way we see and interact with the world, and our selves.
Photography Wide Open
Friday, September 25, 2026 | 5:00 PM
Union Square | New York City
Presented by Fotophase and Wide Open Art, this participatory program explores how the aesthetic experience of making photographs may influence perception and well-being.
World-renowned artist Mark de Paola will introduce his distinctive approach to working at the widest aperture—and, at times, without looking through the viewfinder. Through conversation and guided exercises, participants will engage more deliberately with their surroundings and discover new possibilities in the act of seeing.
Dr. Alessia de Paola, a psychiatrist whose work bridges art and science, will offer insight into how the brain processes visual information and how sustained attention shapes our experience of observing and creating an image.
No prior photographic experience is required.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a camera and SD card for the guided practical experience.
Photography Wide Open is part of UNGA Healing Arts Week , the largest arts and health festival in the United States, taking place from September 19–26 alongside the UN General Assembly. Healing Arts is the Jameel Arts & Health Lab’s global outreach initiative in collaboration with the World Health Organization. #healingartsnewyork
Thank you to UNGA Healing Arts Week supporters @lmtischfund @musicmanfoundation and the @jameelartshealthlab partners: @whoeurope @communityjameel @nyusteinhardt @culturunners
ABOUT MARK DE PAOLA
Mark de Paola is a New York City-based fine art photographer and director whose career spans more than 30 years. His commissioned work has appeared in international fashion publications and campaigns, while his fine art practice explores how memory and human vision shape the photographic image. His work is held in public collections including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Getty in Los Angeles and the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum. De Paola’s approach is informed by his study of the neurobiology and cognitive psychology of vision. He is the co-founder of Wide Open Art.
ABOUT DR. ALESSIA DE PAOLA
Dr. Alessia de Paola is a medical doctor specializing in developmental pediatric psychiatry and a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She attended Columbia University and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, completed her pediatric residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and pursued fellowship training in pediatric psychiatry at UCLA. She has held faculty appointments at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and UCLA Medical Center. Her work reflects a longstanding interest in the relationship between human development, perception and the arts.
in the relationship between human development, perception and the arts.
ABOUT FOTOPHASE
Fotophase is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to advance photography within the emerging field of neuroarts. Its work brings photographers into conversation with scientists and educators to deepen understanding of photography’s potential contribution to wellbeing.
ABOUT WIDE OPEN ART
Wide Open Art is a platform for artist-led experiences and creative collaboration founded by the team behind dePAOLA Pictures. Rooted in Mark de Paola’s philosophy of working “wide open,” WOA collaborates with established photographers and filmmakers whose practices expand the possibilities of visual storytelling. Its programs create opportunities for participants to engage directly with artists, develop an authentic creative voice and experience new ways of seeing.
Images copyright Mark de Paola
Our registration will redirect to Eventbrite. Please complete your registration via Eventbrite.
Join us for a photography-based aesthetic experience designed to expand the way we see and interact with the world, and our selves.
Photography Wide Open
Friday, September 25, 2026 | 5:00 PM
Union Square | New York City
Presented by Fotophase and Wide Open Art, this participatory program explores how the aesthetic experience of making photographs may influence perception and well-being.
World-renowned artist Mark de Paola will introduce his distinctive approach to working at the widest aperture—and, at times, without looking through the viewfinder. Through conversation and guided exercises, participants will engage more deliberately with their surroundings and discover new possibilities in the act of seeing.
Dr. Alessia de Paola, a psychiatrist whose work bridges art and science, will offer insight into how the brain processes visual information and how sustained attention shapes our experience of observing and creating an image.
No prior photographic experience is required.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a camera and SD card for the guided practical experience.
Photography Wide Open is part of UNGA Healing Arts Week , the largest arts and health festival in the United States, taking place from September 19–26 alongside the UN General Assembly. Healing Arts is the Jameel Arts & Health Lab’s global outreach initiative in collaboration with the World Health Organization. #healingartsnewyork
Thank you to UNGA Healing Arts Week supporters @lmtischfund @musicmanfoundation and the @jameelartshealthlab partners: @whoeurope @communityjameel @nyusteinhardt @culturunners
ABOUT MARK DE PAOLA
Mark de Paola is a New York City-based fine art photographer and director whose career spans more than 30 years. His commissioned work has appeared in international fashion publications and campaigns, while his fine art practice explores how memory and human vision shape the photographic image. His work is held in public collections including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Getty in Los Angeles and the Tokyo Photographic Art Museum. De Paola’s approach is informed by his study of the neurobiology and cognitive psychology of vision. He is the co-founder of Wide Open Art.
ABOUT DR. ALESSIA DE PAOLA
Dr. Alessia de Paola is a medical doctor specializing in developmental pediatric psychiatry and a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She attended Columbia University and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, completed her pediatric residency at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and pursued fellowship training in pediatric psychiatry at UCLA. She has held faculty appointments at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and UCLA Medical Center. Her work reflects a longstanding interest in the relationship between human development, perception and the arts.
in the relationship between human development, perception and the arts.
ABOUT FOTOPHASE
Fotophase is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to advance photography within the emerging field of neuroarts. Its work brings photographers into conversation with scientists and educators to deepen understanding of photography’s potential contribution to wellbeing.
ABOUT WIDE OPEN ART
Wide Open Art is a platform for artist-led experiences and creative collaboration founded by the team behind dePAOLA Pictures. Rooted in Mark de Paola’s philosophy of working “wide open,” WOA collaborates with established photographers and filmmakers whose practices expand the possibilities of visual storytelling. Its programs create opportunities for participants to engage directly with artists, develop an authentic creative voice and experience new ways of seeing.
Images copyright Mark de Paola