Chim: Between Devastation and Resurrection

July 7 – October 13, 2024

Chim: Between Devastation and Resurrection presents the work of distinguished photojournalist Dawid Szymin (Chim”) born in Warsaw in 1911. Chim published under the name David Seymour. His keen observations of 20^th century European politics, social life, and culture, documented the beginnings of the antifascist struggle to the rebuilding of countries ravaged by the war. With Henri Cartier-Bresson, Robert Capa, and George Rodger in 1947, he founded the Magnum photo agency. Chim was drawn to the struggle of workers’ rights, countries in transition, and postwar resistance and survival.

The exhibition includes over 50 photographs, many rarely seen, focusing on the post-war reconstruction of Europe, European elections, the effect of the war on children, and the birth of the State of Israel.

Chim: Between Devastation and Resurrection is on loan from the Illinois Holocaust Museum. The original exhibition was excerpted from We Went Back: Photographs from Europe 1933-1956 by Chim, organized by the International Center of Photography and made possible by the John and Anna Maria Phillips Foundation and National Endowment for the Arts. OJMCHE gratefully acknowledges the Arnold and Augusta Newman Photography Fund of OJMCHE for supporting the exhibition.

Exhibition Related Events

• The Life and Work of David “Chim” Seymour, presented by Ben Shneiderman

  Join us for a lecture about the life and work of David “Chim” Seymour, presented by Chim’s nephew Ben Shneiderman. Chim was a renowned photojournalist who captured 20th century European politics, social life, and culture and eventually co-founded Magnum Photos. Shneiderman will speak about Chim from both a personal and professional perspective.

  July 21 | Event starts at 2pm – 3pm, Reception at 3pm – 4pm | Location: OJMCHE | RSVP

• Public Tours of Chim: Between Devastation and Resurrection

  Join us for a volunteer educator-led public tour of Chim: Between Devastation and Resurrection, where we will explore the power of photography to shape public perception and policy.

  August 28 | 2 – 3pm | RSVP Here
  September 18 | 2 – 3pm | RSVP Here
  October 9 | 2 – 3pm | RSVP Here