Dear Truth: Documentary Strategies in Contemporary Photography

Interviews with Frida Orupabo, Mathieu Asselin and Sergio Valenzuela Escobedo, Lara Baladi and Trevor Paglen

 

During spring 2021, the exhibition Dear Truth: Documentary Strategies in Contemporary Photography, curated by Kerstin Hamilton, PhD candidate in practice-based artistic research at HDK-Valand, was exhibited at Hasselblad Center in Gothenburg. Participating artists: Laia Abril, Mathieu Asselin, Lara Baladi, Kerstin Hamilton, Karlsson Rixon, Bouchra Khalili, Frida Orupabo, Trevor Paglen, Taryn Simon.

The exhibition explored how nine contemporary artists approach ideas of truth, facts, and objectivity in times of post-truth. As part of the exhibition program, students at the BA3 and MA2 photography programs prepared questions for a selection of the participating artists. The video interviews can be seen below (when viewed on a phone) or on the left-hand side of the computer screen (please scroll down when cursor is pointed on the video).

More information about Dear Truth: Documentary Strategies in Contemporary Photography on Hasselblad Foundation’s website: https://www.hasselbladfoundation.org/wp/portfolio_page/dear-truth-2/

The catalogue Dear Truth: Documentary Strategies in Contemporary Photography for download here.

 

 

Dear Truth: Interview with the Artists – Part 1
Mathieu Asselin and Sergio Valenzuela Escobedo share their thoughts on the work with Mathieu’s large-scale project Monsanto: A Photographic Investigation, which is a part of the exhibition.

Dear Truth: Interview with the Artists – Part 2
In the second film Frida Orupabo talks about the material aspects of making collages as well as reflecting on how her images relate to dominant ways of seeing and depicting.

Dear Truth: Interview with the Artists – Part 3
In the third film, Trevor Paglen shares his thoughts on why he works with photography.

Dear Truth: Interview with the Artists – Part 4
In the last film, Lara Baladi speaks about her latest work ABC: A Lesson in History and the role of social media in a present marked by post-truth and polarization.