Barry Salzman – How We See The World

FEBRUARY 24 – APRIL 6, 2024

Holden Luntz Gallery proudly presents the transformative exhibition, “Barry Salzman – How We See The World,” scheduled to run from February 24 to April 6, 2024. This remarkable showcase invites art enthusiasts to delve into a captivating exploration of Salzman’s decade-long project, where the fundamental ethics of seeing underpin his impactful landscape works. Salzman’s photographic essays grapple with significant issues:

• What does the concept of bearing witness mean?
• Do we share a collective responsibility for the actions of our fellow human beings?
• What are the inherent dangers of ‘looking the other way’ or the cost of silence when faced with evil?
• How does the landscape provide a visual link between the past and the present?

Holden Luntz Gallery proudly presents the transformative exhibition, “Barry Salzman – How We See The World,” scheduled to run from February 24 to April 6, 2024. This remarkable showcase invites art enthusiasts to delve into a captivating exploration of Salzman’s decade-long project, where the fundamental ethics of seeing underpin his impactful landscape works. Salzman’s photographic essays grapple with significant issues:

• What does the concept of bearing witness mean?
• Do we share a collective responsibility for the actions of our fellow human beings?
• What are the inherent dangers of ‘looking the other way’ or the cost of silence when faced with evil?
• How does the landscape provide a visual link between the past and the present?

Born in Zimbabwe and educated in South Africa, Salzman’s migration to the United States at the age of 21 marked the commencement of an extraordinary artistic journey. Influenced by his teenage years documenting racially segregated areas under Apartheid, Salzman’s work reflects a commitment to understanding societal inequalities. With an MFA from the School of Visual Arts in NYC and an MBA from Harvard Business School, his multidisciplinary approach encompasses photography, videography, and mixed media.

Since 2014, Salzman has focused on projects addressing trauma and memory, particularly related to genocide. His project, “How We See The World,” embodies this exploration, utilizing abstraction to depict landscapes scarred by historical atrocities. The exhibition is an aesthetic journey into the metaphoric witness of landscapes enduring the effects of time and human activity. Historically, the landscapes, like humanity, witness all—acting as the physical arena where human tragic dramas play out, yet nature rejuvenates the land through seasonal rebirth.

Featuring landscapes from Namibia, Poland, Ukraine, Rwanda, Bosnia and Herzegovina—historical sites of transgressions and killing fields—the intentional non-specificity challenges traditional dissemination methods, countering precise photojournalistic narratives. Salzman’s single-exposure technique, devoid of compositing or digital manipulations, is critical to the project’s concept. Through tools of abstraction and the creation of “veiled views,” he exposes the layered landscape, inviting viewers to reflect on the complexities, varied interpretations, and memories evoked. Salzman’s approach conveys the universality of trauma, emphasizing that these haunting sites could be anywhere and echo our unfulfilled promise of “never again.”

Reflecting on the profound impact of his work, one can contemplate that the atrocities of mankind, whether caused by violence or disregard for one another, find echoes in biblical narratives such as Cain and Abel. The lessons drawn from the past underscore the profound importance of maintaining a persistent memory, not forgetting what has been seen or witnessed. In the very fabric of our DNA lies the inherent capacity to learn, forgive, and come to terms with the past—a theme subtly interwoven in Salzman’s evocative photography. The earth, a silent witness to the life that preceded us, absorbs these experiences and provides sustenance for future life. It is hoped that this perpetual cycle inspires a greater resolve to prioritize peace, tolerance, and harmony.

We invite you to join us at the gallery for an exclusive artist talk by Barry Salzman on February 24, 2024, at 10 am. This event provides a unique opportunity to gain insights into the artist’s creative process and engage with the captivating narratives woven into each image.

“Barry Salzman – How We See The World” not only serves as a testament to the visual power of art but also compels us to confront the profound ethical questions woven into the fabric of our collective history. Salzman’s lens, focused on landscapes scarred by human atrocities, challenges us to engage with the complexities of trauma and memory. We are reminded that the earth, much like ourselves, silently absorbs the experiences of the past, offering sustenance for future life. Through Salzman’s evocative photography, we are urged to embrace the lessons drawn from history, maintaining a persistent memory that inspires a commitment to peace, tolerance, and harmony. The exhibition invites us to not only see the world but also to try to truly understand it, fostering a collective resolve to build a future free from the shadows of our shared past.