Michaela Gaffke / Winonan
Award-winning Minnesota photographer and documentary filmmaker David Eberhardt is displaying his work at the Marine Art Museum. Eberhardt’s works will be on display in “River Life: Recent Work by David Eberhardt,” from now until April 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Thirty-nine photos were on display in the brightly lit room at the Museum. Soft piano music played in the background and there was a couch area with a TV in the corner. The Mississippi River was visible through the large windows, casting in a pleasant evening glow.
Eberhardt’s work showcases people living in situations deemed outside of what is typically seen as mainstream. His photographs in the exhibit are all in black and white
In 2004, he started a production on a photograph and film project called “Stay Afloat.” He documented young travelers who call themselves “Boat Punks.” They traveled to mid America in homemade boats, in search of adventure and a life full of freedom.
He also documented two of those Boat Punks’ adventure down the Mekong River in Cambodia and the Nam Oh River in northern Laos.
Eberhardt documented a group of 12 people and four dogs traveling from Minneapolis to New Orleans by the Mississippi on a seven -month trip. These people ranged from ages 19 to 30 and were a diverse group of people, including artists, craftsmen, anarchists, eco-activists and outcasts.
Images from these events are displayed at the “River Life” exhibit. There were also recent photos from Winona and Wisconsin on display.
Winona State University junior Ashley Schneider visited the exhibit.
“The photographs really show how everywhere is reliant on the water, whether Asia or America,” she said.
The photos showcase all different type of activities, such as fishing, curing baskets, a grocery boat, swamp houses, boat houses, riverside, canals and boating.
“I am very grateful to the members of the flotilla as well as the other people in these photographs who allowed me to share moments and time in their lives,” Eberhardt said.
