Art Exchange, University of Essex

Thursday 21 February – Saturday 23 March

Image from The Pixelated Revolution

Civilian photographers risk everything to unmask Syrian state repression.
The Pixelated Revolution is an exhibition of video footage taken on mobile phones by Syrian civilians during the ongoing revolution.

In what has been described as a ‘double shooting’, civilians put themselves in the line of fire to shoot at army snipers with their phone cameras, attempting to bear witness and hold the snipers to account by posting their actions on the web.

Lebanese video artist Rabih Mroué has culled images from YouTube, then zooms in to scrutinise snipers features, only to see them pixelate into abstraction the closer he searches for their identity. Blown up and hung side by side, the shots form a haunting line-up of unidentifiable subjects rendered safe by the inferiority of the photographer’s tools.

Alongside film footage and photography, we screen Mroue's extraordinary lecture that delves into the many issues surrounding the Syrian protestors' means of recording images of their 'here and now', of their ability to spread through virtual communication platforms - and how we perceive these images.

Mroué plays out the role of selector, interpreter and commentator as he attempts to further understand these double shootings.

The Pixelalted Revolution was first shown at Documenta 13, 2012.

Ends

1. Placing the artist at its core, Art Exchange is a space where art, artists and audiences can meet. Our programme of exhibitions, talks and events creates a platform for ideas to be exchanged and connections to be made. We show international, contemporary art by established and emerging artists, historic figures who continue to inspire, and group shows relevant to current debate. Our artist-in-residence programme allows us to commission new works that respond to the world around us.
2. Art Exchange
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
Essex
CO4 3SQ
01206 873184
artexchange@essex.ac.uk
2. Press contact Steve Goatman

Steve Goatman
Arts Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Lakeside Theatre & Art Exchange
Communications and External Relations
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester C043SQ
T: 01206 874985
E: steveg@essex.ac.uk