12/05/2021
18.5.2021, 18 Uhr, Opening of Exhibition - Online streamed live from Forum Factory Berlin
All over the world, people get to see images of Gaza. Mostly, those images are pictures shown in the news, reflecting the current state of affairs – destruction, death and despair. Although Gazans have to perpetually endure the siege and war on the Gaza Strip, they also live a ‘normal’ life - with work and daily routines -
and celebrate life in many ways, defying the situation imposed on them. It is this side of life in Gaza which is portrayed in this exhibition, insisting on a common humanity while rising above the 'othering' conveyed by the imagery of mainstream media.
In the days of Covid 19, we have become used to digital meetings. For people from Gaza, these kinds of virtual meetings are practically the only way to connect with people outside Gaza, as the blockade makes it impossible for an overwhelming majority of people to leave the area.
The exhibition project Eyes of Gaza عيون غزة opens the door to digital encounters between young people from Gaza and Gütersloh. In addition to the photography project on site in Gaza, it facilitated a student exchange between the project‘s participants in Gaza and students from a school in Gütersloh, Germany, to establish a direct communication among peers.
Eyes of Gaza عيون غزة is opening up a fresh perspective on life in the Gaza Strip. A different reflection, a distinct angle that usually remains hidden to the outside world. Eyes of Gaza عيون غزة was curated with the intention to give a voice specially to the young generation. Those nine young Gazans producing the substance of this exhibition are extending an invitation to the exhibition’s visitors, showing us their life as they choose to portray it - themselves, people they love, their favourite places and hangouts where they spend time with friends or family.