cry of an echo
małgorzata stankiewicz
2 augustus 2018 - 5 augustus 2018
For centuries, defying all threats, the Białowieża Forest in Poland managed to remain untouched. Until a decision was made in 2016 by the Minister of the Environment, who, on behalf of the new Polish government, deemed large-scale logging permissible under the guise of good forest conservation. While much has been said about the environment in recent years and the great and overdue need to protect it is clear, Europe’s last primeval forest was partially destroyed over the course of two years—notably by the decision of those who were supposed to protect it. Cry of an Echo is Małgorzata Stankiewicz’s personal protest. The images are a metaphor for hair-torment. It is her silent cry.
The project comprises a total of 46 images that have been intentionally abused through masking, chemical ‘deterioration’, uneven development, bleaching, and retouching. Originally conceived as a handmade artist’s book, Cry of an Acho won the Unseen Dummy Award in 2017.
The book was published by Lecturis and printed by Wilco Art Books.
The exhibition and the book presentation were organized by Unseen Amsterdam and Bradwolff Projects.