HD 16:9, Colour
Arabic spoken
Eng subs
Duration: 22'
Showing Presence originated from an artist residency in Ramallah in 2019 and consists of a series of photographs, poetry, and film.
In the eponymous photo series, Showing Presence, Wim Catrysse captures the acrobatic manoeuvres of large bats in their natural habitat in Ramallah, where he found them swarming around fig trees. He somewhat aggressively flashed the light-shy creatures, causing them to stand in stark contrast with the nocturnal surroundings. Catrysse’s depiction of bats reinforces the perception that many initially have of them, namely as a symbol of superstition, fear, or the supernatural.
Palestine is no exception to this perception. Here, too, bats are associated with a primal sense of fear, which takes on new significance in the context of the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestine. In the popular Palestinian imagination, Israeli army troops have often been referred to by analogy with bats. This comparison is primarily made mockingly, as the troops also prefer to operate under the cover of darkness, but, unlike bats, the occupying forces are not limited to mere symbolic appearances. Instead, they enforce a real policy of fear through displays of power.
The title Showing Presence may initially seem innocent and idyllic, suggesting that the artist is simply revealing the presence of bats in their natural habitat. However, upon closer examination, the title reveals a more sinister connotation, alluding to military strategies employed to establish dominance and instil fear in a targeted population, a tactic also known as ‘looking for trouble’ or ‘initiating action.’ By juxtaposing nocturnal scenes with this military jargon, Catrysse subverts the seemingly tranquil scenes, hinting at the complex power dynamics at play between nature, culture, and politics.
Credits:
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Produced by Escautville
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Co-produced by The Municipality of Ramallah and Morpho, Antwerp
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With the support of The Flemish government
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Special thanks to Mo (Abu Samer), Anas and Ayoub Obeida, Mousa Anbar, Khaldun Bshara, Sally Abu Bakr, Randa Nasar, Alan Quireyns, Caroline Dumalin Ika Sienkiewicz-Nowacka, the Ramallah Municipality and the residents of Jalazone Refugee Camp for their heartening hospitality.
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Special thanks to The Al-Qasim Foundation for granting the permission to use the poem 'Bats' by the late Palestinian poet, Samih al-Qasim.
Screened at:
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AAIR, Antwerp (BE), 2021
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U-jazdowski castle centre for contemporary art, Warsaw (PL) 2021