What does peace look like?

Four graduating photography students from the Royal Academy of Art, The Hague (KABK) have been examining this question since September. Peace has reigned in the Netherlands since the end of World War II.

But what does ‘peace’ mean in a society that seems to be growing more polarized? And what does peace look like for individuals?

The students reflected on this and explored what peace symbolises for them. The exhibition ‘I See Peace’ is the outcome of this search.

Participating students: Daniël Siegersma, Marwan Bassiouni, Malou Bumbum, Maya Wingerden

Each student came up with an individual answer to the questions: what does peace look like and how can you experience it? For example, Daniël wonders whether the configuration of the Dutch landscape and the placing of asylum seekers in it contributes to peaceful coexistence. Maya finds peace under water, where everything goes slowly, colours blur, and time seems to stand still. Marwan translates the story of a humanitarian sultan from 1850 to today. How could he inspire us? Malou questions whether people are naturally good or bad and seeks the answer in countless baby portraits. Although the appearance of peace varies across the world, the four artists show that it cannot be taken for granted. Rather, it is something to be worked on.