Updated posts 2026
John C. Mack opened his exhibition space for A Species Between Worlds to Fairplay – the leading non-profit in protecting children from online harm – as they held their benefit on Friday evening in New York City’s Chelsea arts district. John is a longtime supporter and board member of Fairplay. Facebook Whistleblower Frances Haugen, expert and advocate for online transparency, was honored with the Fred Rogers Integrity Award. John C. Mack led a VIP tour through his interactive exhibition that explores our relationship to our devices and the surrounding world while inciting the introspection needed to prevent the loss of our humanity.
Guests were treated to a discussion between Fairplay’s Executive Director, Josh Golin, Jean Rogers, and Ms. Haugen. Attendees included Christy and John E. Mack, Alexandra Alexieva, Laurence and Michelle Blumberg, Paige Boller, Sheri Lambert, Ellie Manko, Liane Pei, and Benny Tabatabai.
The award’s namesake makes the pairing more pointed than it first appears. Fred Rogers spent decades arguing that children’s media carried moral obligations, and testified before Congress in 1969 to defend public broadcasting funding on precisely those grounds. Naming an integrity award after him and giving it to someone who disclosed internal research on how a social platform affected teenagers draws a direct line between two eras of the same argument, separated by half a century and an entirely different set of screens.
Fairplay is the leading non-profit organization committed to helping children thrive in an increasingly commercialized, screen-obsessed culture, and the only organization dedicated to ending marketing to children. Their advocacy is grounded in the overwhelming evidence that child-targeted marketing – and the excessive screen time it encourages – undermines kids’ healthy development.
The exhibition showcases a mesmerizing collection of artworks that delve into the complexities of our interconnected world. Mack’s artistry seamlessly blends elements of realism and surrealism, inviting spectators to contemplate the profound impact of technology on our lives and society.
At the heart of the exhibition lies a profound homage to Fairplay, an essential aspect of our human nature that calls for integrity, accountability, and ethical conduct. Through his masterful strokes, Mack portrays the power of Fairplay as an essential guiding force in navigating the challenges of the modern world.
Furthermore, the exhibition acknowledges the remarkable bravery of Frances Haugen, whose unwavering dedication to truth and transparency exposed the darker side of social media. Mack’s art pays tribute to her courage and highlights the critical role of whistleblowers in fostering positive change.
“A Species Between Worlds” serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact individuals can make when they embrace their humanity and stand up for what is just and fair. Mack’s art invites viewers to reflect on the delicate balance between our physical and digital lives and the responsibility we bear to shape a better world.
As visitors immerse themselves in this thought-provoking exhibition, they are encouraged to question the evolving relationship between humans and technology and consider how Fairplay can guide us toward a more enlightened future.
