Ulrich Schmid-Maybach, founder of the Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation and Silverstein Properties President and CEO Larry Silverstein introduced today a new World Trade Center Documentary Arts Project and unveiled a visual update on construction activity at WTC site. As a result of the collaboration between the Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation and Silverstein Properties Inc., gifted young photographers from adverse backgrounds have been granted unprecedented access to photograph construction activity at the WTC site. Compelling artwork from the project is being showcased for the first time as part of the Foundation's Excellence in Mentoring Leadership program.
The Excellence in Mentoring Leadership program pairs talented young protégés with mentors who are leaders in their field. Through a rigorous nomination and selection process, four young photographers from Georgia, the USA, India and Hong Kong were chosen to participate in the WTC Documentary Arts Project. The protégés are working with Joe Woolhead, Silverstein Properties lead WTC photographer, as their mentor in documenting the rebuilding of the World Trade Center. Silverstein Properties is also providing the Maybach Foundation protégés with office space in their World Trade Center Design and Construction Studio at 7 World Trade Center, where internationally renowned architects Norman Foster, Richard Rogers and Fumihiko Maki have designed three new towers at the WTC site. This is the first time Silverstein Properties is partnering with a non-profit organization on a project of this magnitude.
Larry A. Silverstein, President and CEO of Silverstein Properties said: "We're thrilled to collaborate with the Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation. It is a privilege for us to support the arts through the Foundation's international mentoring program and to see the World Trade Center project through the eyes of these promising young photographers."
Ulrich Schmid-Maybach established the Foundation based on the humble origins of the great engineers Wilhelm and Karl Maybach to build on the Maybach family legacy of engineering, invention and design that spanned the 20th century. His great-grandfather Wilhelm Maybach, an orphan, was discovered and mentored by Gottlieb Daimler and then played a pivotal role in the development of the modern automotive era. The Maybach Brand, Daimler AG's high-end luxury brand, is the primary partner of the Wilhelm & Karl Maybach Foundation. Their shared history and partnership have created a unique approach to mentoring by pairing extraordinarily talented young people with leaders in their field to integrate individual philanthropy and corporate responsibility to accelerate progress with a new generation of transformative leaders.
"Mentoring can have a profound impact on a person's life. My great-grandfather's life attests to that and our family is proud to continue this tradition by helping these young photographers achieve their potential. We are extremely fortunate to be working with great partners, the Maybach Brand and Silverstein Properties. This project is proof that great good can come from adversity. Through mentoring we can do our part to provide a brighter future for the next generation," said Mr. Schmid-Maybach.
The World Trade Center Documentary Arts Project - Protégés and Mentor
Last month, Mr. Woolhead, who has been photographing the WTC construction activity since it began in 2002, began working with two of the protégés, 30-year-old Marika Asatiani from Tbilisi, Georgia and 22-year-old Benjamin Jarosch from the Chicago area.
In February 2009, the second team of protégés, 21 year olds Vicky Roy from India and Nicole Tung from Hong Kong, will begin work. The four photography protégés, selected for their exceptional talent and leadership potential, each have faced adversity in their lives. Each protégé brings his or her unique perspective and talents to the project along with the desire to use their photography to bring dialogues on the human condition to a broader global audience.
Mr. Woolhead said, "As a photographer, it is a historic opportunity to work on a project of this magnitude and significance. We are witnessing history as we rebuild this global landmark. It is a great privilege to work with these young protégés. It is extremely gratifying to share my craft with such a talented group of motivated individuals and I am learning a great deal from them in the process - as they say ‘to teach is to learn twice'."