Military training as art
Herlinde Koelbl, one of Germany’s most outstanding documentary photographers, will showcase an extraordinary series of photographs during the “Targets” exhibition at Goethe Institute, Sathon 1, from July 31 until Sept 8.
Known for her unique approach to social and political issues by depicting art through photography, the exhibition reveals her take on military-training targets from 30 countries around the world.
Koelbl takes interest in the ways the enemy is portrayed. Is the enemy an abstract figure or does he have a face? Do shooting targets in different countries disclose cultural differences? For her, every soldier considers himself to be on the right side. However, in the reality of war, it is the soldiers themselves who are ultimately the “living targets”.
Munich-born Koelbl is considered one of the most influential political photographers of this era. Her photography addresses pressing issues of our time. Her most recent works include coverage of the refugee situation in the Middle East and the Mediterranean, as well as a portrait collection of well-known politicians in “Traces Of Power”, which was the product of decades of observation.
The exhibition is part of the Photo Bangkok Festival 2018. It can be viewed on weekdays, 8am-6pm. There is no admission fee.