For those in London this month, make sure to check out "Beware the Cost of War," a new photo exhibition organized by Yoav Galai, a young award-winning Israeli photographer now living in England.
I asked Yoav about the exhibit and here's what he wrote:
"The exhibition is something I wanted to do for a very long time.
"As an Israeli press photojournalist I was embedded with the IDF during the 2006 conflict in Lebanon. We came under heavy fire, and some of the soldiers around me were injured. (Yoav Galai photo, left)
"I quickly learned that it was a friendly fire incident that caused the casualties, but this simple fact was impossible to introduce along with the images, which by now had a life of their own.
"They were hijacked for different narratives wherever they were published, and no one seemed to like the simple truth that these soldiers were injured by friendly fire and therefore could not reach the consequential realization - that it doesn’t really matter who did it.
"Such is the nature of conflict.
"People find their death by mistake or miscalculation as often.
"This is the cost of war.
"This exhibition tries to tear the images from any narrative and challenge the viewer to focus on the experience of being caught amidst violence, just like the subject, just like the photographer.
"Fourteen photographers from Gaza, Israel and the West Bank present the true, bloody face of conflict in a powerful and graphic exhibition.
"Palestinian photographers Mohammed Abed, Abid Katib (photo right), Mahmud Hams, Khalil Khamra, Fady Adwan, Jafar Ishtayeh and Eman Mohammed introduce the raw images taken in Gaza and the West Bank, especially those taken during the Israeli operation “Cast Lead” in Gaza.
"Israeli photographers Lior Mizrahi, Amit Shabi, Uriel Sinai, Tomer Appelbaum, Haim Zach and myself show images taken within Israel and during the conflict in Lebanon.
"Between the images we will print unattributed testimonies of survivors and relatives of those who fell victims.
"During the term of the exhibition, participating photographers from both sides will give slide-show presentations, reclaiming their images and showing the context within which they were taken.
"This will be a rare opportunity to hear from those whose back yards are their front lines, as they introduce us to their catalog of images that so rarely get featured in the Western press.
"Such cooperation would not have been possible without the resources and atmosphere of the Olive Tree program in City University, and the tireless support of its director Dr. Rosemary Hollis. Olive Tree scholars are Gazans, West Bankers and Israelis who participate in discussions and social activities on a daily basis."
The exhibition opens on Friday, Oct. 23 in London's Blackall Studios. Check out "Beware the Cost of War" for more info...
Photo: Uriel Sinai
Photo: Fady Adwan
Photo: Uriel Sinai
Good to see a few bleeding IDF killer Jews - thanks!
The 'ultimate' gift will be to see a radioactive cloud of kosher confetti high over the stratosphere over Israel and to see the US 7th fleet DECON teams 'holding their noses' as they scrape these murderous heathens off the sidewalks with putty knives and straw brooms.
TheAZCowBoy
Tombstone, AZ.
Posted by: TheAZCowBoy, Tombstone, AZ. | October 14, 2009 at 04:09 PM
TheAZCowBoy, even the survivors of the USS Liberty wouldn't ask for that.
Posted by: August West | October 14, 2009 at 04:53 PM
TheAZCowBoy, we truly appreciate the visual messages conveyed by these group of photographers. Indeed, war is the highest expression of social insanity...But why do we continue to have it? In our indigenous culture, "He who touches first is guilty!" Who shall we point fingers that have violently touched first? The Hamaz, or the Israelis? How many thousands Americans died in New York? In TV I saw the 'ease' in killing your fellowmen like ants. Are you truly American?
Shall we blame Bush? Obama? Bush must have made mistake in justifying the ME war but the end was just the same. The Americans have made their point...'tooth for a tooth, blood for blood!' This is one important lesson for all nations, tribes, races, religion, and creed to learn...Long live Bin Laden! may he bring more martyrs to the grave!
Posted by: Guideman | October 28, 2009 at 09:27 PM
Furthermore, the teachings of Islam has by context, arised from the teachings in the ancient scriptures; Old and New Testament. This is why in Islamic studies the writings of the Gospels are recognized. If and only if, a muslim would truly abide by the 'ideals ' of Islamic principles. No muslim would ever blow themselves sky-high and kill innocent and vulnerable people; children, women, the elders, etc. Worse not even having the similitude of giving 'notice of intent to subjugate or declare war' as rules of engagement and conduct of war written in the old testament. I donot know how would they jihadists, with this conduct, justify themselves individually before the throne of the Almighty during eternal judgment.
Posted by: Guideman | October 28, 2009 at 09:52 PM