ON VIEW:
Questions Without Answers: A Photographic Prism, 1985- 2010
Photographs by the Photo Agency VII
.
Questions Without Answers presents photographs
from the renowned VII Photo Agency depicting defining events of the
post-Cold War period and their aftermaths, from the Fall of the Berlin
Wall and September 11, 2001, to Iraq and Afghanistan, The Balkans and
Congo, Chechnya and Gaza, among others. The unique contributions of the
independent photojournalists affiliated with VII are highlighted in more
than 125 photographs, newly printed for the occasion, many displayed for
the first time. These photojournalists collectively embody the tradition
of concerned photography as their mission is to “document conflict --
environmental, social and political, both violent and nonviolent -- to
produce an unflinching record of the injustices created and experienced by
people caught up in the events they describe.” As Stephen Mayes, CEO of
VII, comments, “[VII’s] work has never been about simplistic
representation, but rather about supporting debate and contributing to
change.”
The end of the Cold War in 1989 began a new era in world history as
globalization, modernization, regional and civil conflicts, complex
terrorism, and environmental issues surged to the fore. People, states,
and regions struggled to grapple with these ongoing challenges. At the
same time, the media was enmeshed in a shift from traditional reportage to
the era of multimedia, 24-hour coverage that blurs the distinctions
between professional and citizen reporters. This exhibition offers a prism
of both cataclysmic events and persistent conundrums of the last several
decades.
In 2004, on the occasion of the founding of its program for
photojournalism, documentary studies, and human rights called Exposure,
the IGL established a partnership with VII Photo Agency. James Nachtwey, a
VII co-founder, commented then that "Exposure will help us all to
understand photography as a valuable tool that can help us learn how to
make sense of the violence, the destruction, the chaos of this world.
Exposure will help to create an incredibly important historical legacy,
providing meaning in our lives. Most importantly, it can help to create a
public awareness integral to the process of change.” Since then, VII
photographers have mentored Tufts students in workshops in Argentina,
Bali, Cambodia, Kashmir, and Kosovo.
This exhibition has been co-organized by the Tufts University Art
Gallery, Tufts’ Institute for Global Leadership
and VII Photo Agency, with images selected by the
directors of the three organizations, with assistance from a Tufts
Exposure leader, Samuel James. The exhibition was curated by Amy Schlegel,
director of the Tufts University Art Gallery.
VII gratefully acknowledges Canon USA whose support made many of these
photographs and the prints in the exhibition possible.
Admission to CPW's galleries is are free and open to the public, Wednesday-Sunday 12-5pm and by appointment.
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