Witnessing Peace

Abstract

This panel explores artistic representations/constructions of peace. If photography allows ‘whatever is going on to keep on happening’ (Sontag) and if war photography contributes to the naturalization of war in viewers’ perception, then artistic representations of war and violence appear problematic. Indeed, in a media environment saturated with violent images, we need to think about art’s contribution to peace. This panel asks: What could a photography of peace look like? In what ways can peace be represented in the arts? Can anti-war photography become peace photography? Can such photography be decoupled from preceding violence thus becoming a genuine photography of peace? The panel focuses on, but is not limited to, the visual arts.