Dasein: An Invitation to Hang is part of an interactive, month-long artist in residency at the Ace Hotel New York in celebration of the snapshot. It was conceived as a living, breathing, interactive work of social art.

The photos you see on this website are a mix of my work and snapshots that have been submitted by photographers all over the world. In addition to the images you see here, I’m curating a selection images from this website that subsequently hang in the physical gallery at Ace Hotel New York. The gallery is updated EVERY day with hundreds of new prints. If you’re in the neighborhood (29th & Broadway) please stop by.

Anyone is welcome to submit your work here and there is no limit to the number of quality snapshots that you can contribute. If you've already sent in some images, then send some more. If you haven't yet contributed, now is the time. Please join me in this unique project.

-Chase Jarvis
[follow me on twitter @chasejarvis]

The German word Dasein has been used by Heidegger and numerous other philosophers to refer to raw human existence -- the fundamental mode of “being there.” When applied to photography, this everyday-ness is most revealed by the snapshot.


Over time and without our knowledge, the snapshot has become the most meaningful visual storyboard we have of simply “being” in the world. The snapshot is pure, direct, unmediated expression and, refreshingly, it lacks academic influence or vogue. At once a celebration of life and a reminder of our mortality, the snapshot awakens us to realize that we each have a limited number of these discrete, fleeting moments in our lives.


When aggregated, snapshots readily precipitate a simple, yet profound, matter of “being there”, that irrevocably reflects what it means to be human.

Amish boy

Amish boy

2 notesShowHide

  1. Andy Shelter submitted this to invitationtohang