The enclosure in Israel and the Palestinian Territories. Photography and art as a means of emancipation
Monday, November 30, 2009 at 5:00pm
Friday, December 4, 2009 at 5:00pm
Location:
University of Amsterdam, Spinhuis
Oudezijds Achterburgwal 185
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Description
Jerusalem - Bethlehem: The enclosure in Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Photography and art as a means of emancipation.
In the framework of educational activities related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the principle of peace upheld by FFIPP within the academic community, our network has decided to combine photos from a Palestinian partner (the EJE, a French-Palestinian NGO based in Bethlehem) and photos from an Israeli collective of photographers named Active Stills, within the same exhibition.
This exhibition portrays both Palestinian and Israeli points of view on the enclosure and separation of two populations. The innovative and complementary approach shared by our two partners is based on a common conviction: photography and art can actively support social and political change. The images are a privileged medium of testimony, moreover, tools of mobilization and pacifist emancipation.
In February 2009, the EJE (Enfance, Jeu, Education) and her partner Anne Paquier (independent photographer) launched an educational project promoting the art of photography (technics, light, structure, message) for children of the Al Aroub refugee camp (near Bethlehem). In the aftermath of the project, cameras were made available for the children to give them the opportunity to capture their daily lives and dreams. Multiple themes were captured on camera: school, generations, Palestinian culture, daily life, earth, Palestinian symbols, etc. A selection of images made by these young photographers will be on display during the exhibition.
The other photos originate from an Israeli collective of photographers, called Active Stills, and demonstrate the enclosure and uprooting in and around Jerusalem. This collective similarly uses photography as a way of militant expression, and their images are integral to the fight against all forms of oppression, racism and violations of the fundamental liberties of mankind. The themes chosen by this group of 10 professional photographers - active in both Israel and Palestine - range from the denunciation of the Israeli occupation and the blockage of Gaza to the defence of women's rights, immigrants and asylum seekers in Israel. The exhibition furthermore displays a number of their photographs related to Jerusalem and its surroundings, taken from the "Jerusalem Dispossessed" brochure, made possible in cooperation with the ICAHD (Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions).
We invite and encourage everyone, especially the academic community, to come and see the exhibition, to highlight the issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict now more than ever, and act together with us for just peace.
