Geert van Kesteren
Why Mister, Why?. Iraq 2003-2004
SC, 17 x 22 cm., o.pp.
Artimo 2004
Zusammen mit 7 weiteren Künstlern war van Kesteren als Dokumentarfotograf im Irak, nach Beendigung der Invasion. Aber ist die Invasion zu Ende? Neben den tonnenschweren Büchern der Photoagenturen hier endlich wieder ein kleines, leichtes und gewaltiges Fotobuch!
Geert van der Kesteren was famous in short time for his project in Iraq. This book is not a light-weight, although it comes small, light and incomspicuous.
"Featuring more than 250 images, Why Mister, Why? is a compelling account from photojournalist Geert van Kesteren. The situation in Iraq, following the declaration of "mission accomplished," represented a culture clash of rare proportions, and van Kesteren was witness to what went wrong. He saw clouds of sadness coming from the mass graves created by the Saddam regime, while Shi'ites enjoyed their awakening freedom. Embedded within the ranks of US troops, he witnessed disgraceful raids on Iraqi citizens. And these accounts are presented here for the reader to see, feel, and try to understand. In a clear photojournalistic way, van Kesteren outlines why it will take a long time before the Iraqi people can enjoy the semblance of peace. Accompanying the images is an introduction by Newsweek senior editor Michael Hirsh, with whom Van Kesteren shared several tense moments in Iraq." Artimo