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ZUMA takes Voodoo Global
Laguna Beach, CA - February 2, 2005
 ZUMA Press, the Laguna Beach-based international news and picture agency, proudly presents Vivid VOODOO--a photographic exhibit of the ritual, sacrifice, possession and love of Haiti's religion.
The images selected for Vivid VOODOO were carefully excerpted from the incredible work of the award-winning ZUMA photographer, LES STONE. The world-renowned photojournalist traveled to Haiti more than 30 times over 10 years on assignment for major international news magazines--usually to cover the ongoing cycles of political violence that have plagued the nation. Over the years, he's developed an affinity to documenting Voodoo worship.
"Visually, the Voodoo ceremony is incredibly exciting to witness and photograph. It's very positive and beautiful and no more superstitious than many of the practices of the Catholic church, of which Haitian voodoo in particular is tied very closely," says Stone.
Voodoo is deeply rooted in the Caribbean island of Haiti. Although it has been practiced for hundreds of years and was recognized by Haitian officials as an official religion in 2003, it is still widely misunderstood around the world.
ZUMA's Vivid VOODOO debuts at Ocean Brewery's Big Gallery on February 2, 2005. It is also scheduled to exhibit at the St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art in Glasgow, Scotland from May to October 2006. Other shows are pending around the globe.
About Les Stone
During the last two decades, critically acclaimed photographer LES STONE has chronicled the human cost of conflict in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, Kosovo, Liberia, Cambodia and Haiti, among other war zones.
The winner of several World Press Photo Awards and Picture of the Year Awards, Stone vaulted to prominence in 1989 when he photographed the savage beating of the newly elected Vice President of Panama by thugs of Generalissimo Manuel Noriega. The image revealed the true nature of Noriega's repressive regime. Since then, Stone has covered stories often ignored by the mainstream media, including the deadly legacy of Agent Orange in Vietnam, the plight of Iraqi Kurds fleeing the first Gulf War, and the deployment of child-soldiers in Africa.
Stone's work has appeared in the pages of leading magazines including National Geographic, TIME, Life, Paris Match, Stern and Fortune, as well as a number of books.
About ZUMA Press
Incorporated in 1995 by photojournalists for photojournalists, ZUMA Press is now the world's largest independent press agency and wire service. Establishing the first Website for image download back in early '90s, ZUMA now represents over 1,200 photographers worldwide and 33 of the best picture agencies around the globe, as well as over three dozen major newspapers. ZUMA photographers have won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer, World Press, BOP and POY.
ZUMA properties include: Bearing Witness Book Series, picture books that have to seen; DOUBLEtruck magazine, the ultimate showcase of cutting-edge photojournalism; Keystone Picture Agency, the best visual history of the 20th century and beyond; KONA Pictures, art and commerce with flair; zReportage.com, the high-end, elite photojournalism service; and ZUMA Press, the flagship premium wire service for news, entertainment and sports pictures!
For more information, visit ZUMApress.com.
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