A Conversation with the World

“I think generosity begins with acceptance. You have to be open enough to accept what’s happening in order to understand, to reciprocate. Like the willingness to be open, and wait to see what's happening so you can understand how to respond. I think this is the root of generosity.” _ Lonnie Graham Lonnie Graham carried out the “A Conversation with the World” project by asking a set of common questions on eight themes—origins, family, life, death, values, tradition, connections, and Western culture—to people he encountered across more than 50 countries on 6 continents. Alongside these conversations, he took portraits of the respondents. Selected at random, the participants freely expressed their personal thoughts based on their own cultural backgrounds and individual perspectives. Through a project that spanned over 30 years, the artist came to realize that, despite generational and cultural differences, the respondents consistently echoed similar sentiments. Through the photographic window of A Conversation with the World, we are invited to rediscover our faith in the ‘common humanity’ that connects us all—and to encounter a broader, more inclusive world. Originally published in a limited edition of 100 copies in 2017, A Conversation with the World returns in 2025 with a revised edition. Reflecting the ongoing nature of the project, the new edition features the same 99 photographs as the original, with 20 newly updated images included. 2025 22.4 × 28 cm 152 pages Hardcover / Swiss binding * Essay by Anne Veh * Book Production by Top Process