Sebastian Gil Miranda
Buenos Aires, Argentina
I was born in Paris in 1976 and grow up in Argentina, where I live currently. I have a very heterogeneous formation, includes a degree in psychology, studies in architecture, music, writing, drama and photography. I was for several years a university professor in subjects of research, communication and human rights at the University of Buenos Aires (UBA).
I am founder and director of two cultural places in Buenos Aires.
I have presented my work in solo and group exhibitions in different parts of the world. I have participated in various festivals: The Fence Boston, Buenos Aires Photo, Photoville New York, Viví Francia, among others.
Shorlisted at Sony World Photography Organisation Award 2015 in "Campaign" category, for my serie "Shoot Ball, Not Gun".
I obtained the People's Choice Prize in 2014 at The Fence Boston, for my serie "Children playing on the street of Cuba".
Shortlisted at Life Framer award, 2014.
Finalist at "Be a volunteer in pictures" award, 2014.
I directed the Warld Cup project, held in Brazil during the FIFA World Cup, that involving more than 30 photographers from different countries, presented in many places, including the Art Museum of Rio de Janeiro (MAR), Parque das Ruinas and Museu da Maré.
My work was published in various medias and magazines around the world: Clarín, La Nación, Revista Noticas, Télam, Fdh, InfoBrand, C5N from Argentina, Farenheit Magazine, One Shoot and TV Azteca from México, Friture Mag, Media Part and El dipló of Le Monde Diplomatic from France, Iso 100 from Guatemala, O Globo and O Dia from Brazil, Decanted from Australia, Argentina Independent and The Guardian from England, Vice News from Canada, among others.
I have worked and collaborated with several NGOs and social projects, including "Uniendo Caminos" (Argentina), "Na ponta dos Pés" (Brasil), "Rosa Luxembourg Foundation" (for its headquarters in India).
Shoot Ball, Not Gun
Sebastian Gil Miranda
It is a documentary work carried out as part of the social project in Villa La Cárcova, José León Suarez, in the periphery of Buenos Aires, Argentina. This is one of the most dangerous slums in the country with two armed drug gangs fighting for control, leaving a death toll of dozens per month.
Children shoot the ball within the four walls of the Chapel’s courtyard, but out there other shots reverberate.
The children who participated in these activities are between 6 to 11 years old and are, for the most part, involved in one of those two gangs, with parents, brothers and close friends imprisoned, killed, or somehow involved in drug trafficking networks. Activities at the center give them an alternative to keep away from a bleak future, which otherwise seems inescapable.
Favela on Tiptoe
Sebastian Gil Miranda
Is a ballet social project in the Alemão favela complex, the bigger favela's complex of Río de Janeiro, started by Tuany Nascimento, a 21-year-old dancer who represented Brazil at international events during a flourishing career that was abruptly cut short by lack of resources. But rather than letting her head drop, the setback strengthened Tuany’s determination to help troubled communities through dance. In October 2012, she started teaching classes in Morro do Adeus, where she lives, and has been working against the odds in her difficult community. Many students in her group of girls aged 4-15 come from families caught up in narco turf wars and afflicted by the chronic crisis of opportunity that personifies urban poverty across Brazil. The project struggles along despite challenges such as lack of a proper space and almost no funding.
Haiti after earthquake
Sebastian Gil Miranda
This work documented the human delicate situation that people still live, in Port au Prince, 3 years after the earthquake that hit and destroyed the city, killing thousands of people, leaving more than one half of the population without home. It was made on the streets and several of their refugees camps.
Much of the city, continues today in ruins, although many people were reassigned to other homes, even thousands of people still living in refugee camps, some of which are in terrible sanitation and structural condition. Many of the millions of dollars that were destined to recover the city, providing housing and decent conditions, were misappropriated and used for other purposes..