Art & Deal

Monthly Art Magazine in India

Essay

Auschwitz: Site as history, Eye as a witness- Shruti Mukherjee

Art & Deal Articles

War has always been devastating, irrespective of the time period in history, whenever it has happened. From mythology to the beginning of our civilisation, to the modern day ‘civilised’ man, it has been a “tool” to kill, abuse power, destroy, loot and plunder, thereby leaving a trail of destruction, disruption and suffering. Every time, setting us back by many years and destroying useful resources for progress. It is always lurking around. A constant threat to progress and civilised society. According to me, today’s generation has a superficial understanding of the implications of war, how it affects society, and disrupts life. A constant information overload keeps them informed (or misinformed), which drives opinions in directions that seem totally oblivious to the catastrophic effects of a full-fledged war. Although I have not experienced war but based on my travels and documentation of places and people who have been through the horrors of war, I can understand and feel how it might have been for all those affected, throughout history. I feel how intense war-zones prevent people from doing even their daily chores, not to mention the losses and disorientation of the misplaced. I can read Anne Frank and only understand her situation. I can visit the countries which have been through devastating wars. But…. I can only try and understand. Through my stories, images and documentaries, I wish to convey my perspective and make my generation feel and connect with the effects of war, and not just understand it…

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