Celebrity photographer Platon offers audience a new perspective during Purdue University Northwest’s 72nd Sinai Forum

On Sunday, September 14, Purdue University Northwest (PNW) kicked off the 72nd installment of the Sinai Forum with a presentation from world-renowned photographer Platon. The audience, which included attendees from all over Northwest Indiana, gathered in the James B. Dworkin Student Services and Activities Complex’s Great Hall on the PNW Westville campus for the presentation, which was entitled “The Power of Unity: Rekindling the Spirit of Optimism.”

Platon is no stranger to the Sinai Forum, having previously delivered a presentation in 2018. The Sinai Forum was started in 1953 by Sylvia Bankoff, her husband Dr. Milton Bankoff, and Rabbi Karl Richter in Michigan City as a platform for affordable and meaningful town hall-style discussions between prominent individuals and members of the general public. Captain “Sully” Sullenberger and William F. Buckley Jr. are among the prominent individuals who have spoken at the Sinai Forum.

“In these times of division, gathering here to listen and learn is especially meaningful,” said Leslie Plesac, executive director of the PNW Sinai Forum. “This is a reminder that the power of conversation can bring us together. That’s what this series is about. It is a place where curiosity and respect can bridge our differences. I am certain that today’s program will do just that.”

Platon is famous for creating compelling and striking photos of celebrities, social and political activists, and everyday people. His portraits have been featured in publications like “Rolling Stone,” “Esquire,” “The New York Times,” and have even graced the cover of “Time Magazine” multiple times. Not only has he photographed more world leaders than any other artist, but he has also photographed six United States presidents. He is the author of several books, including “My Body Is Not a Weapon” and his latest work “The Defenders,” which he autographed copies of after Sunday’s talk.

During his energetic presentation, Platon shared his experiences photographing political figures like George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack and Michelle Obama, Donald Trump, and Condoleezza Rice. Platon displayed each picture for all to see, highlighting both the humor and the humanity he encountered during these interactions. He also shared the photographs he has taken of foreign leaders like Mahmoud Abbas, president of Palestine, Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister of Israel, and Vladimir Putin.

After talking about his experience photographing a woman who was mourning her husband, who was an Army soldier who had died while in Iraq, Platon commented on his audience’s reaction to the story.

“Something beautiful just happened,” Platon said. “We all came into this room defined by our differences: men, women, old, young, black, white, Democrats, Republicans, various religious groups and cultures. Just now, you all felt compassion for someone you’ve never even met. That’s the beautiful power of human connection. That is why we will not go down as a generation of connectivity that disconnected itself. The fact that you’re all present here today, that you showed up to make friends, share ideas, challenge yourselves, and maintain a cohesive society is an incredible thing.”

Platon also showed photographs he has taken of celebrities as well, including John Lithgow, Anthony Hopkins, Prince, David Beckham, Adele, Christopher Walken, Tim Cook, Bill Gates, Stephen Hawking, and Elon Musk. He didn’t shy away from talking about some of his more controversial subjects, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, Harvey Weinstein and Bob Weinstein, and former National Security Agency Contractor Edward Snowden.

Platon encouraged his listeners to help “rekindle the spirit of optimism” by seeking to build bridges with others whenever possible.

“If you want to reach out to someone you don’t know, you have to take the first step,” Platon said. “It takes courage to do that, especially today. There are risks, but as far as I’m concerned, a life of being curious, reaching out to ask people about their lives, and listening to their point of view has been a blessing for me. It’s left me feeling more convinced that the human condition will survive all of this. We have to be curious and we’ve got to be kind to each other to do so.”

For more information on future sessions of the Sinai Forum’s 72nd season and Purdue University Northwest’s other upcoming events, please visit pnw.edu/sinai-forum.