Guns in America (TIME x JR)
A TIME Magazine collaboration with JR exploring America's relationship with guns through the voices of everyday people.
It's a truly American story: 325 million people, more than 265 million guns, 35,000 deaths a year and one 227-year-old constitutional right. To move beyond the familiar debate, TIME partnered with JR, an artist and photographer known for documenting social issues. In three U.S. cities profoundly affected by guns — Dallas, St. Louis, and Washington, D.C. — they invited people to share their views, describe their experiences, and search for common ground. The project documents hunters and activists, teachers and police officers, parents and children — and joins together these varied perspectives in one work of art. (Source: TIME / NOMA)
- Year
- 2018
- Hunter's role
- Director
- Director
- JR (Lead Artist / EP), Hunter Nolan (Director — video mural production), Tasha Van Zandt (Director — behind-the-scenes documentary)
- Type
- Art Installation
- Runtime
- 4-minute loop (video mural)
- Countries
- USA (St. Louis MO, Washington DC, Dallas TX — three cities 'profoundly affected by guns')
Collaborators
- JR — Artist, Filmmaker, Photographer. Based in Paris and New York.
- Marc Azoulay — JR Studio Director
- Eyal Levy — International Producer, Artist, Cinematographer.
- Tasha Van Zandt
Awards
2019 News & Documentary Emmy Award nomination — Outstanding New Approaches: Current News category. TIME's 5th Emmy nomination in 3 years. 40th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards (September 24, 2019, New York).
Festivals
TIME Magazine cover: November 5, 2018 issue • Pace Gallery, New York (video mural installation, from Oct 26 2018) • Houston Bowery Art Wall, NYC (street installation) • Brooklyn Museum (as part of JR: Chronicles, 2019–2020) • Cody Firearms Museum / Buffalo Bill Center of the West (permanent display) • New Orleans Museum of Art (one-night installation, free) • Projected in dozens of museums and locations across the US • TIME issued open call for citizens nationwide to host projection events
Real-world impact
Emmy-nominated project that aimed to foster nuanced, non-partisan conversation about guns in America at a moment of extreme polarization. 245 people from all sides represented equally — no perspective privileged over another. TIME issued open call for citizens nationwide to host public projection events and discussions. Mural toured dozens of museums and public spaces across the US. Permanent installation at the Cody Firearms Museum / Buffalo Bill Center of the West — placing the art inside a gun museum itself. Project gave voice to gun violence victims, emergency room surgeons, teachers, and children alongside hunters, NRA members, and law enforcement. JR: 'Both sides are present in everyone.'