RECORD: We Are Together

Photo project transforms messages of personal identity into public art to celebrate our diverse community.

In 2017, Salemite Chris Fischer hosted “We Are Together,” a photo project aimed at celebrating community.

The Facebook event page declared: “Our differences are what make us great. They are what make us unique individuals in a sea of people. It’s time, we as a community, bond together to celebrate this. It’s time we stand up and voice our appreciation of each other, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any number of things that define who we are. Above all else, we are human and it is time we provide a unified front against hate and show that we are in this together. If you are with us, we want you here.”

With only three days lead time, more than 125 people showed up to Victory Club in downtown Salem on a warm Monday night in July. There was a steady stream of people for four hours, said Chris.

“I wanted people who are willing to show their faces and stand together for inclusion and diversity. It didn’t matter what race, religion, creed, sexual orientation. Show up and get your picture taken,” said Chris.

And now, just over two years later, the photos snapped on that night are seeing the light of day — literally — as they artfully grace the exterior walls of some industrial buildings between Union and Division streets near the river.

Capturing and celebrating Salem’s diversity, reflecting acceptance and appreciation for what makes us unique and beautiful, declaring our commitment to each other, the photos are a testament to strengthening our community. 

“We Are Together” was inspired by and in cooperation with The Inside Out Project created by TED prize winner artist JR, which is a global participatory art project that transforms messages of personal identity into public art by making large posters to display in diverse communities. More than 260,000 people have participated in 129 countries — Salem being one of them.

“I’d like to do another project similar to that tone,” said Chris. “It was fun. I had a really good time with it.”

But this isn’t Chris’ first photo project. He’s been snapping away since he was 10-years-old and especially been involved with capturing nature and wildlife. Born and raised in Salem, he’s a graduate of Sprague High School (class of 2000), and the University of Oregon where he got an accounting degree. Chris worked in commercial real estate for seven years, then moved into finance, before launching into film and VR production about two years ago with his 360 video production company and content library, All Around Project. While the business focuses on a number of areas, its predominant project is zeroed in on filming the world’s most endangered wildlife. He’s looking to create empathy experiences, to show people what it’s like to work with elephants or spend a day in the life of a lion. Passionate about international wildlife, he wants to get more conservation work in front of people. Chris, and his team visit Africa once or twice a year to capture video for that purpose.

“We just released the pilot episode for our VR project following migration on the Serengeti,” said Chris. 

And while Chris may spend time away on a semi-regular basis, he’s thoughtful about growing a business here in Salem, bringing art and culture to our city, and supporting the opportunities we have locally and celebrating his community at home.

Check out allaroundproject.com.

This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 10 (Dec 2019/Jan 2020)