Photo © Jorge Mónaco
Portrait - NOMINEE: Jorge Mónaco
ALBINOS, BEING DIFFERENT.
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Albinism is a genetic condition that occurs in one out of every seventeen thousand people and results from the combination of two parents carrying the recessive gene. Although there are different types and degrees of albinism, in all cases it is characterized by the clear lack or reduction of melanic pigmentation in the eyes, skin and hair, in addition to a severe decrease in vision, photophobia, myopia, hyperopia, strabismus and nystagmus, and an involuntary and uncontrollable movement of the eyes. Albinos need to be ware of sun exposure more than the rest of the population since they can get sunburnt very easily and are more prone to skin cancer.
On top of these physical challenges, people with albinism also face the psychological challenges of looking different. Social attitudes towards albinism include lack of understanding, fear of the unknown, and prejudgment based solely on appearances. It is important to understand and accept oneself. It is also important to live in a society that does not discriminate and that embraces albinos as they are.
In Argentina, they are considering passing a bill that aims to protect the rights, guarantee access to public health services and avoid discrimination of those who have this genetic disorder. If this bill were to be approved, Argentina could become the first country to protect the rights of albinos.
Albinism is not a disease. In Argentina alone there are about two thousand five hundred people who carry this rare genetic condition.
Jorge Mónaco
About author:
Mónaco was born in Buenos Aires in October 1957.
He has worked extensively as a teacher, delivering courses, workshops and seminars in many institutions in Argentina, in the private as well as in the public sector.
His work can be found in private and public collections.
He has taken part in collective as well as solo exhibitions.
He usually participates in photography conferences in Argentina and abroad.
His photographs have been exhibited in: Argentina, China, Australia, India, Macao, Belgium, Hong Kong, England, USA, Turkey, Canada, Malaysia, Scotland, Singapore, Portugal, France, Philippines, Luxemburg, Nueva Zealand, South Africa, Rumania, Germany, Sri Lanka, Spain, Japan, Italy, Estonia, Austria, Mexico, Russia y Kazakhstan.
He is also a researcher and carries out a lot of work related to pinhole photography.
In 2002, the Fondo Nacional de las Artes (Argentina) granted him an award for his photographic essay ‘Los Menonitas’ (The Mennonites).
In 1995 he was appointed Director of the ENFO, the School of Photography of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
On top of these physical challenges, people with albinism also face the psychological challenges of looking different. Social attitudes towards albinism include lack of understanding, fear of the unknown, and prejudgment based solely on appearances. It is important to understand and accept oneself. It is also important to live in a society that does not discriminate and that embraces albinos as they are.
In Argentina, they are considering passing a bill that aims to protect the rights, guarantee access to public health services and avoid discrimination of those who have this genetic disorder. If this bill were to be approved, Argentina could become the first country to protect the rights of albinos.
Albinism is not a disease. In Argentina alone there are about two thousand five hundred people who carry this rare genetic condition.
Jorge Mónaco
About author:
Mónaco was born in Buenos Aires in October 1957.
He has worked extensively as a teacher, delivering courses, workshops and seminars in many institutions in Argentina, in the private as well as in the public sector.
His work can be found in private and public collections.
He has taken part in collective as well as solo exhibitions.
He usually participates in photography conferences in Argentina and abroad.
His photographs have been exhibited in: Argentina, China, Australia, India, Macao, Belgium, Hong Kong, England, USA, Turkey, Canada, Malaysia, Scotland, Singapore, Portugal, France, Philippines, Luxemburg, Nueva Zealand, South Africa, Rumania, Germany, Sri Lanka, Spain, Japan, Italy, Estonia, Austria, Mexico, Russia y Kazakhstan.
He is also a researcher and carries out a lot of work related to pinhole photography.
In 2002, the Fondo Nacional de las Artes (Argentina) granted him an award for his photographic essay ‘Los Menonitas’ (The Mennonites).
In 1995 he was appointed Director of the ENFO, the School of Photography of Buenos Aires, Argentina.