Syria: A Conflict Explored

Interesting exhibition at the Imperial War Museum looking at the conflict in Syria.

The show was in two parts. The first had a few objects and an excellent video outlining how the conflict had come about and the various sides involved. For a brief moment I understood it although I’m not sure the nuances have stuck with me. The video was shown on a great screen with an edging like a smashed window.

The second part two wonderful sets of photographs by Russian photographer Sergey Ponomarev looking at the human consequences of the fighting. The series were called Assad’s Syria and The Exodus. The latter was shown on a rolling screen in a room at the end whereas the former were displayed in the gallery.

There were some beautiful pictures. I loved one of a street scene though a strained glass window. Splitting the scene in three with the plain and coloured glass made it seem like three perspectives on a scene. Also one of a Syrian army officer in front of statues in Palmyra. One year later Isis forces had danged or destroyed these ancient works.

Other were full of pathos such as one of a family clearing their possessions out of a bombed house in a taxi  with the young boy wearing a party hat with Tiger on it.

Closes on 3 September 2017

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