“Collateral Damage” Exhibition

John Jay College

This event has ended.

This exhibition examines issues rampant violence during WWII, the Vietnam War, the rise of the Khmer Rouge and other conflicts where innocent non-combatants were affected. While these conflicts impacted everyone, women, children, elderly and the infirm were more vulnerable. Women were sexually assaulted, exploited, and their bodies were often and still are, violated as a war tactic. The plight of women who suffered during times of conflict continues in the aftermath of war, not only because of the enormous psychological and emotional trauma that has marked them, but also the social and cultural stigma attached to their horrendous experiences.

While the exhibition deals with the subject of the victimization and trampling of non-combatant human rights in conflict-ridden areas, it will afford a greater focus on WWII Asia and ‘comfort women.’ The term “comfort women” or Ianfu, is a Japanese euphemism coined by the military to refer to women they trafficked, and forced into sexual service to relieve their soldiers’ fears and desires. The case of ‘comfort women’ was one of the most horrific violations against women and girls’ rights in modern history. WWII and Nazi atrocities have been the subject of many books and exhibitions as have Stalin’s massive pogroms. Yet, the topic of sexual appropriation by soldiers during times of conflict has been somewhat eclipsed most likely due to the social taboo attached to those victims still alive.

The participating artists examine, explore, and highlight the issue of collateral damage as a consequence of war, and the crimes and traumatization to these people. The artists include Jan Banning, Steve Cavallo, Mona Higuchi, Su Kwak, Chang-Jin Lee, Despo Magoni, Despina Meimaroglou, Yong Soon Min, Min Sun Oh, Frank van Osch, Junghwa Paik, Jin Powell, Lydia Venieri. The works in this exhibition are meant to showcase the responses of contemporary artists to the plight of non-combatants especially women, in the Asian arena, focusing on their suffering, and at times showing their search for reconciliation and restoration. These internationally and artistically diverse artists demonstrate their engagement with past history while attempting to provide a new perspective toward atrocities perpetrated on women and young people while simultaneously offering hope for the future.

Symposium October 17, 2016 from 5:30-7:30pm with reception following