This Week In Pictures #5
A Marvel at the Met Gala
The theme of this year’s Met Gala, which took place on May 4th, was “Fashion is Art” Many celebrities, from Sam Smith to Heidi Klum, showed off their dynamic garments and accessories. While there were numerous standouts, the arguable MVP was Emma Chamberlain. The influencer and podcaster wore a custom-made Mugler gown, hand-painted by artist Anna Deller-Yee. The 40-hour painting process was well worth it.. Angela Weiss’ photo of Chamberlain’s arrival shows her posing with a crowd of fellow photographers behind her, undoubtedly in awe of this incredible statement.
Winning the Derby
And they’re off! The 152nd Kentucky Derby took place at Churchill Downs in Louisville on May 2nd. The winning horse this year was thoroughbred Golden Tempo. This photo, taken by Michael Reaves, shows the thoroughbred and jockey José Ortiz crossing the finish line. The victory was also significant, as Cherie DeVaux became the woman to train a Derby winner. Later in the walk, it was announced that Golden Tempo would not be competing in the Preakness Stakes. While this may come as a disappointment to racing fans hoping for another Triple Crown winner, it doesn’t take away from the multiple triumphs of Derby Day.
Stranded Ship
The Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius has become the center of international health concerns, due to an outbreak of hantavirus. After setting sail on April 1st from Argentina and headed to Cape Verde, the first case attributed to this rodent-based disease was that of a 70-year-old Dutch man, who died on the 11th. Two other passengers contracted the virus and passed away, and the World Health Organization has confirmed five cases in total. This photo, from AFP, shows the Hondius just off the port of Praia on May 3rd. While risk of another pandemic is reportedly low, the tension and tragedy of the scenario remains.
Fireworks Factory Explosion
A horrific incident took place on May 4th in the Hunan province of China, where an explosion at a fireworks plant occurred. 26 people have been confirmed killed and 61 injured. This photo, taken the following day by Yang Huafeng, shows rescue workers diligently trying to put out a fire amidst the surrounding chaos. While the exact cause is still under investigation, this photo is a sobering reminder of the heroism that emerges in face of disaster.
World Press Freedom Day
Every May 3rd marks World Press Freedom Day. This is a day to honor the vital importance of transparent journalism, free from government censorship. Chedly Ben Ibrahim’s photo, taken at a demonstration in Tunis, Tunisia the day before, shows journalists rallying in support two detained colleagues. One is shown holding a sign expressing the clear link between freedom of the press and democracy. We couldn’t put it any better than that.
May Day
Another major day of demonstrations took place on May 1st. This day commemorates International Workers' Day, otherwise simply known as “May Day.” Celebrating and advocating for the working class and their rights, this year's May Day saw pro-labor protests in multiple countries, including the U.S., France, Cuba, and Venezuela. This photo, taken by Rodrigo Arangua in Santiago, Chile, shows a demonstrator holding up a flag as riot police spray water at him and other demonstrators. It’s an image that emphasizes just how much strength this movement has had to show for centuries.
Protesting on Bridge
A different kind of protest happened on May 1st in Washington, D.C., when Guido Reichstadter scaled the top of the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, where he stayed for multiple days. Reportedly protesting the ongoing war in Iran and the increasing ubiquity of artificial intelligence, Reichstadter's action drew plenty of attention before he came down after six days on the bridge. This photo, taken by Heather Diehl on May 6th, shows Reichstadter smiling and holding out his arms in a triumphant pose. We can only imagine what thoughts were going through his head before, during, and after this snapshot.
Flooding in Kenya
Since March, flooding has wreaked havoc on parts of Kenya, with at least 66 people killed as a result. This has been especially prevalent in the capital city of Nairobi. In this photo, taken by Lucas Mukasa on May 1st, people work to make it through flooded streets. Means of transportation shown include a truck, motorbikes, and simply walking. It’s a small but wrenching glimpse of how much disruption to day-to-day life severe flooding like this can have.
Claudia Sheinbaum and BTS
As President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum is one of the most influential people in the world. However, to some, she might be the least recognizable person in this image. On May 5th, Sheinbaum welcomed K-Pop superstars BTS to Mexico City, before they performed multiple sold-out concerts. Haarón Álvarez’s photo shows the boy band members and Sheinbaum standing on the balcony of the National Palace. Standing below them are some 50,000 fans, absolutely elated to the see their idols in person.
Saving the Salton Sea
For decades, the Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, has had the unfortunate honor of also being its most polluted. However, that might not be the case for much longer. A restoration effort for the body of water is underway, with Governer Gavin Newsom launching the Salton Sea Conservancy last month. This photo, taken by Mario Tama on May 1st, shows two wooden chairs laying along the shore of the Salton Sea. While there’s evidently plenty of work to be done, the proper mix of patience, effort, and determination will hopefully yield incredible and impactful results in the long-term.
What photos from this week blew you away? Let us know in the comments!
