Tethering Presence NYC

Tethering Presence NYC

Tethering Presence: NYC brings together conceptual artist Micah Purnell and photographer Richard Harris in a collaborative exploration of connection, technology, and shared presence. The project pairs Purnell’s succinct, thought-provoking truisms with Harris’ striking black-and-white street photography from New York City, each image featuring a smartphone as a subtle prompt to consider where attention truly rests.

The launch features the unveiling of a large-scale wall installation at SeeSaw, where selected pages from the photobook form a 3 × 10-metre collage. The piece reflects the book’s central themes—presence, connection, and the interplay between the digital and physical—and will remain as a lasting addition to the space. DJ sets accompany the exhibition, which invites visitors to pause and reflect on the rhythms of everyday life and the moments often overlooked.

The work blends provocation with empathy, encouraging reflection on how technology shapes daily interactions while still offering a sense of hope and possibility. Both artists bring distinctive practices: Purnell’s focus on human connection and public-facing art, and Harris’ sensitive street photography capturing fleeting moments. Tethering Presence: NYC stands as an invitation to recognise what is seen, what is missed, and how presence is shared in a hyperconnected world.

Micah Purnell, is a text based conceptual artist and graphic designer based in Manchester.

Richard Haris, is a portrait and street photographer based in London