“Anton’s Hand is Made of Guilt. No Muscle or Bone. He has a Gung-ho Finger and Grief-stricken Thumb.” opens at Galeria Filomena Soares Lisbon. This exhibition runs from 21.04 – 16.11.2024.
“Anton’s Hand is made of Guilt…” is a research-based documentary project based on actual events, a lipogramme and any imaginary anthropological study in one. This multifaceted body of work, which includes installation, original photographs, archival photography and images researched from private Islamist, Libyan and dark web forums. It is is also accompanied by a sound installation of probing soundscapes exploring the everyday experiences of a war correspondent. Developed in North Africa from 2019-2023, this part-documentary, part-speculative project is based on a poignant and very personal story and experience: the death and disappearance of Edgar Martins’ close friend, photojournalist Anton Hammerl, during the 2011 Libyan war. The book takes Hammerl’s story as a jumping off point to reflect on the decisive but paradoxical role that photography has played in conflict zones, photographic ethics, the portrayal of loss and trauma, whilst exploring the misinformation ecosystem surrounding war. This expansive and multifaceted exhibition is Martins’ most ambitious and personal book to date.
Image credit © Nikolai Nekh
