Acts of protest, demonstrations, social resistance, political response and collective demands have highlighted recent times. Through the photographic medium, movements worldwide have been captured and documented. But can photographs protest? What happens if photography ceases to “accompany” the protest in order to “become” the protest?
This work presents a fundamental research about the photographic medium in relation to the phenomenon of protest, as well as an exhibition concept under the title “Photography protests” for the Kunsthaus Bregenz. The theme of the exhibition explores photography as an active expression of protest through the work of three international artists: Zanele Muholi, Devin Allen and JR.
The research for the exhibition concept is based on a thorough analysis of two perspectives regarding the relationship between photography and protest through the commentary of selected exemplary photographs and authors: the historical representation of protest in photography and the notion of the photographic medium as an active tool to express protest.