The Rights Exposure Project

I was originally going to write this post as a contribution to the protection, through public exposure, of  Shahidul Alam from the predicted government backlash that his new exhibition, ‘Crossfire‘, will likely provoke.  That all still stands. However, the fact is I love the approach Shahidul has taken with this piece of work and it deserves a space on REP whatever the risks he is taking. It is not often we see human rights issues, especially something like extra-judicial executions, covered in this way.

The exhibition, open between 22-31 March at the Drik gallery in Dhaka, looks at the killings attributed to the Rapid Action Battalion (R.A.B) in Bangladesh. R.A.B, a composite of police, army, navy and airforce, is accused of the killing of hundreds of people in its custody. All of these deaths are attributed to ‘crossfire’ – criminals killed in shoot outs, a common device to cover up extra-judicial executions by state authorities all over the world. Strangely, no R.A.B personnel have been killed in these encounters…another tell tale sign.

University campus, FM Hall. Copyright Shahidul Alam

Rather than approach the subject through a documentary style, Shahidul takes an allegorical look placing us at the ‘scene’ of the crimes. As he says, there is plenty of documentation already, what he wants to do is take the viewer there emotionally.

The intention of this exhibit, was therefore not to present documentary evidence. There was plenty of that around and it had failed. The show attempts to reach out at an emotional level. I aim to get under the skin. To walk those cold streets. To hear the cries, see terror in the eyes. To sit quietly with the family besides a cold corpse. But every photograph is based on in-depth research. On actual case studies. On verifiable facts.  A fragment of the story has been used to suggest the whole. A quiet metaphor for the screaming truth.

Wall. Copyright Shahidul Alam

The photos are scenes devoid of people. They are there for us to put ourselves in. To imagine the last moments of those in the hands of a death squad. Places where the truth has been distorted and now need re-booting.

Imagination is supplemented not only by a video installation and thorough research but also by an interactive map that allows people to add their own experiences on this issue.

If you want to know more about the exhibition then take a look at Shahidul’s blog or read the New York Times feature. Oh, and spread the word, this one may get shut down before it even opens.

Filed under: Photography, Video Tagged: | Asia, Bangladesh, exhibition, extra-judicial executions, photo agency, South Asia