LorraineDevine
Nick Danziger
11 Women Facing War
IWM
2016
I felt exhausted, drained and depressed after this exhibition. It was heartbreaking and provocative.
In 2001, Nick Danziger photographed eleven women, all living in the world’s major conflict zones of the time, for an International Committee of the Red Cross study to document the specific needs of women facing war. Ten years later, he set out to find each one and learn what had become of their lives.
The video interviews were conducted with the women describing what had happened and how they felt about it. There were common themes. Guilt.Sadness.Perseverance.
A lack of humanity shown these women by others.
Violence.
The women were from many different continents and conflicts. All were alone with no partner.
One of them was achild of 10 years old who had vanished, believed dead when he returned to find her.
These were remarkable women but also unremarkable women. Remarkable in their survival, and unremarkable in their ordinary lives. The minutae of staying alive.
I knew I would use this in my work. Infact I did use the word remarkable in my script. My character clearly states..." I will not be passed over as unremarkable".
This was an exhibtion to take time with and absorb.The scars of war are passed on.They are a legacy.
The curation and presentation of the videos facilitated individuality and privacy for the unravelling stories. It was respectful and calm.
seating encourages your audience to linger and engage.