Witness is a provocative installation designed to confront viewers with the visceral reality of helplessness and moral conflict. Central to the piece is a dead dove, a symbol of peace and innocence, violently spun around a confined space by a chain attached to its neck. With every impact against the pristine white tiled walls, it leaves behind a grotesque trail of marks, a graphic testament to its suffering.
Stuck behind a window, viewers are forced into the role of powerless observers. Oscillating between disgust and compassion, they are compelled to watch, unable to intervene, mirroring the paralysis experienced when confronted with distant disasters and atrocities. This enforced passivity creates a palpable tension that challenges viewers to confront their own reactions to the horrors we witness.
The piece causes a deep introspection about our collective response to suffering and our moral responsibilities as human beings. By immersing the audience in this unsettling experience, Witness asks for a re-evaluation of the courage required to confront and respond to the crises in the face of which we feel powerless. It calls for a shift away from collective impotence to meaningful action.
How can we, as individuals and as a society, fight the abuse that surrounds us?