Encountering Violence-Related Documentary Photography in a Gallery Context

Abstract

This paper assesses some findings from an empirical reception study conducted between 2006 and 2011. Reception and meaning making were studied as a part of two artistic projects: “Battered” and “Notes on Finnish Gun Culture”. Both thematically touch upon issues of violence, whether structural and/or apparent, and the approach is documentary. “Battered” looks into the physical assaults that take place in public spaces and “Notes on Finnish Gun Culture” is a four-chapter narrative on various dimensions of gun use and shooting practices. This article looks specifically into some findings that are connected to the theme of violence. Based on the data, it can be said that five different, albeit not alternative, discourses are apparent: viewers express and show (1) disgust and anxiety, (2) empathy, pity and compassion fatigue, (3) discrepancy and uncanniness, (4) personalising effects and (5) ethical concerns regarding being exposed to images of violence.

Notes

1 Documentary is here understood widely and conceptually — rather than referring to photo-journalistic practices, it preferably connotes an artist's urge to discuss real-life events and phenomena photographically. This approach is well covered in film theory (see, e.g., Nichols, Representing Reality, Blurred Boundaries, Introduction) and in theatre studies (see, e.g., Forsyth and Megson), although it is somewhat absent in contemporary photography theory.

2 The pictures can be viewed at http://www.harripalviranta.com/pages/10. Both series were made by me.

3 The first school massacre took place in November 2007 in Jokela and the second just ten months later in September 2008 in Kauhajoki, Finland. Pictures of the school shooters were widely published by the local and international media.