Syria: A Conflict Explored
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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Guardian
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