Funded on Kickstarter, Now on Amazon!
New York, NY
About the Kickstarter Project by Luke Stoffel
Luke Stoffel (Artist/Photographer) will be putting together a book and a gallery show to launch in New York City - Summer 2020, entitled The Noble Path. Over the next 90 days I will be traveling and gathering photography for an exhibiton in NYC. I have broken this time into 3 sections: The first 30 days I will concentrate on photography. The second 30 days I will be teaching (Photography and English) in Laos, and the last 30 days I will be in Nepal writing and researching Tibetan Buddhism.
Previous Gallery Show New York City
Book Details: This 90 Page Full Color Hardcover Photobook is printed on premium Luster Paper and includes images from all over South East Asia. The scheduled release date is July 2020. Interior preview below:
The Story: An opportunity to sublet my apartment for 3 months arose and now I am leaving my home, my job, my friends, my family, my life in New York City to work on a book and a series of photographs for this exhibition.
Kickstarter Reward: Hardcover Photography Book
I will be spending each of the 90 days in dedicated meditation, reflecting on each of our places in this world, and reminding myself that I am not alone, that our common joys and struggles are shared experiences. Now Available on Amazon.
The first 30 days I will be traveling in Malaysia and Indonesia collecting imagery of Buddhist ruins in the region. The next 30 days I will teach a photography class to students in Northern Laos with L.E.O.T. foundation. I will also participate in an after-school conversational English program for children and novice monks in Luang Prabang. A portion of the money raised with help the students with tuition and supplies.
Kickstarter Reward: Handmade Incense
During this time I will take up evening meditation with the monks in the temples. From my Kickstarter backers, I will gather words of devotion that I can meditate on, sending love and light to you, your intentions, or your loved ones. Each day I will choose a temple and a letter to devote my time to that day. A form will be sent to you to fill out, and over the year I will send each of you a dedication letter with a photograph of the temple where I was that day.
Kickstarter Reward: Dedication Letter
During the last 30 days, I will travel to Nepal in search of the birth place of the Buddha while compiling the book of photography and a translation of my travels through the spirituality of South East Asia, before returning home.
Kickstarter Reward: Handmade Soy Candle
Once back in New York City I will prepare for my next show. I have a gallery in Chelsea that is interested in the exhibition, and I will work with them and a local printer to enlarge my work on glossy metal prints to line the gallery walls combined with text selected from this project.
Help The Students, Every Dollar Counts! The average Laos family makes $130 a month. Tuition for afterschool english programs (where I have taught in the past) costs around $17 per semester. Many families with multiple children and cannot afford this. All pledges under $15.00 go directly to helping school students. A portions of larger pledges will also contribute to after school programs.
My classroom in Laos 2019
Funding: This is where I need your help.
Through this Kickstarter I am trying to gather enough money to print the books and the art pieces. I am looking to raise $5000 which is the minimum I need for a group of 20 medium sized prints.
Planned Exhibition: Summer 2020 New York City
I look forward to hearing from you as I follow this path, and hope to have you along on my journey. You can follow the trip starting January 10th on Instagram @lucasstoffel
Stretch Goals:
$1,500 - Congratulations we made it! This goal covers gallery costs and some intial printing on metallic photo paper.
$2,500 - Whoa! We are on fire! From here we can order larger prints and larger frames for the gallery. Book production paper quality upgraded.
$5,000 - Now we are talking. All 24" x 36" Fine Art Metal Prints for the gallery space. This puts the show on a whole new level.
$7,500 - Dare we dream?! TBD.