Why We Fight
One question. Four continents. Over a dozen participants.
Featuring portraits and interviews with former and current soldiers and dissidents, Why We Fight explores the personal stories that lead to the decision to risk everything and take a stand.
This project looks beyond the group narratives (either military or activist) and beyond mission statements and uncover the more nuanced narrative behind the individual's will to fight.
The Purpose
Why We Fight seeks to facilitate discussions surrounding terrorism, foreign policy, peace building, and long-term solutions. It features personal stories from the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Arab Spring activists, the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), Peshmerga, Republika Srpska, Hezbollah, and more.
The Experience
In a gallery setting, Why We Fight is a conceptual art experience. Stories of fighters are displayed beside corresponding photos—but names of countries, cities, and military and militia groups are redacted.
This exhibition style promotes receptivity in the viewers, as they must first understand the personal narrative before they discover the group from which it came.
