A Million More by Martin Schoeller

About

Fotografiska New York has partnered with Swedish luxury carmaker Volvo Cars to present A Million More, a multimedia installation featuring portraits and audio recordings that tell the stories of vehicle collision survivors, captured by esteemed photographer and Fotografiska alum Martin Schoeller.

Volvo, a name synonymous with safety, gave the world the first three-point safety belt in 1959.   After its introduction, Volvo faced a world of criticism. People questioned the need to wear them, and some felt laws forcing them to wear one was an infringement on human rights. Volvo persevered by releasing the patent and including three-point safety belts in all of its cars. Since every car manufacturer could use them, society as a whole could benefit. Since then, the three-point safety belt has saved more than a million lives. Today, Volvo hopes to save a million more lives with new safety technology like speed limiters and in-car cameras, which are controversial in their own ways.

The portraits in the A Million More installation capture the strong emotions in survivors’ faces as they recall their traumatic experiences, and the hope and positivity that came from surviving them. Each survivor is photographed in a similar way, yet slight variations in body positioning highlight the individuality of each unique story. In addition to shooting their portraits, Martin Schoeller also recorded their voices as they shared in their own words what transpired. A Million More invites viewers to become fully immersed in the retelling of survival stories. It is a powerful and hopeful reminder that life can change in an instant, and underscores Volvo’s commitment to safety and ambition to save a million more lives.

In the spirit of sharing the safety belt innovation with the world, Volvo and Fotografiska New York are opening the doors to the stunning V Bar to host this photography experience with complimentary entry for all.