Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige
Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige
Faces (Série D), 2009
8 lambda print on aluminium
8 x (50 x 36 cm)
Edition of 5 ex + 2 AP
In Lebanon, the walls of cities and villages are covered with portraits of murdered political figures or of people who have died while fighting or on a mission. In Lebanon they are called "martyrs".
For several years, in various regions of the country, Hadjithomas & Joreige have been photographing these posters of men who belonged to different parties, religions and creeds. But they select only posters ravaged by time. Placed high up, often in places that are difficult to reach, the posters have remained in position even after the names of these people have disappeared. All that remains is the oval shape of a face or a barely recognisable outline.
The artists photographed these images at various stages of their progressive disappearance. Then, through drawing, they attempted to recover certain features, to bring back a face, questioning the trace, the lasting image and the missing image. But can the image live up to the promise it carries ?
Catalogue Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige / JRP RINGIER Edition, 2013