The Brighton Photo Biennial got under way on Thursday 2nd October 2008.
At the Lighthouse many people at the preview found the images moving; the wars are still having an impact on the psyche despite distractions of the financial global crumble, and some of them disturbing; perhaps the idea of image ‘fatigue’ is not entirely true!
The exhibition is comprised of two works: Why Mister, Why? : “is one of the few photographic books to attempt a political and synthetic view of the Iraq war. It tracks the brutal tactics of the coalition forces, the many humiliations of life for ordinary Iraqis under the occupation…”
Baghdad Calling: Van Kesteren worked with Iraqi refugees, millions of whom have been scattered across the globe by the conflict in one of the largest humanitarian crises of modern times. He became fascinated by their use of phone images through which they communicated with each other and those that remained in Iraq…” Full text at Lighthouse
Multimedia presentation downstairs at Lighthouse
There were a few people pointing out the insincerity of having a wall of war images and drinking wine and ‘celebrating’ the exhibition. I was thinking whether I had heard the same type of comment in previous similar exhibitions of war photography or exhibitions relating to issues. Well, if it was an issue, like this time, there was plenty of drunkeness at most previews I’ve been to.
The chap in the following photograph asked me if the photographs were pointing to Mecca…
Don’t know if he asked anybody else. When he asked me I think I was the only ‘asian’ person in the room. Perhaps he thought I was Muslim (I’m not), or from the Middle East (I’m not) etc… He also mentioned the war pix and the drinking going on in terms of disrespect for the faith of Islam. And he had some issue relating to smoking as well (hence the image which he asked me to take! (Not suggesting ‘fish ‘n’ chips twice!)
The photographer Geert Van Kesteren talks to the public.
People arriving from the other Photo Biennial previews held at Fabrica and the University of Brighton echoed discomfort at the images in those exhibitions. No doubt the exhibitions will spark some debate on issues of war photography. Some of which are ongoing at the Photo Biennial blog.
Movers and shakers!
Photography elicits some strange responses from the subject, Jonathan Swaine demonstrates!
Word and pictures by photographer © Bip Mistry 2008.
