The Art History Department of the University of Amsterdam presents Florian Göttke's project: “Gazes From Syria: Eleven Years Of Uprising / Multi-Sided Civil, Sectarian and Proxy War”. Florian's forthcoming book, published by Valiz, "Burning Images: A History of Effigy Protests will be launched during the opening of the exhibition on March 16 (16:30 -18:00)
From March 2021 to March 2022, Florian Göttke brought posters in Amsterdam's public space to remind that we don't forget the plight of the people caught up in the conflict and to intervene however possible.
Ten years ago, peaceful Arab Spring protests in Syria turned into an uprising when the regime brutally cracked down on large demonstrations in major cities. The uprising slowly descended into a multi-sided civil, sectarian and proxy war, fueled by weapons and money from Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, USA, and Russia. Over the past ten years, The International New York Times ran thousands of articles and photographs of the conflict. In a handful of these photographs, an individual looks directly into the camera: demonstrator, opposition fighter, ISIS member, government soldier, civilian; children, women, and men, seeking refuge from the violence. They look into the camera, skeptical, guarded, tired, hopeful, beaten. With their gazes they make the presence of the photographer and the news media visible. They know that they are to become an image in the Western news media. Nevertheless, their gazes connect us, the news audience in the West, on a very human level with the street in Syria. Their gazes remind us to look and take notice. They urge us not to forget the war in Syria and to intervene however possible.
Exhibition:
Art History Department of the University of Amsterdam, BG2, Turfdraagsterpad 15-17, 1012 XT Amsterdam, 1st and 2nd floor, 15 March – 8 April 2022
Opening: Tuesday 15 March, 16:30 – 18:00
Open for the general public every Wednesday 14:30 - 17:30 and by appointment (contact Florian Göttke)
Book launch:
Burning Images
- Investigates a specific, theatrical form of political protest: the destruction of effigies by hanging, burning, or otherwise
- About the making and analysis of image culture, global news gathering and high-speed distribution via press and social media channels
Author: Florian Göttke
Design: Sam de Groot
Series: vis-à-vis
September 2021, Valiz | with support of Mondriaan Fonds, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds | pb | c. 320 pp. | 23,4 x 16,5 cm (h x w) | English | ISBN 978-94-92095-96-1 | € 26,50