Children in War: A Student-Organized Exhibition of Photographs from the Loeb

When: October 30, 2021–January 2, 2022

About the Show

An old monochrome photo of a child in a street, with rows of brick buildings nearby.
Newcastle Slum, ca. 1934
Edith Tudor–Hart (Austrian/English, 1908–1973)
Gelatin silver print
Gift from the Michael and Joyce Axelrod Collection (Joyce Jacobson, class of 1961) in memory of Cathy Picard Rosen
2010.16.9

Experiences of war, physical displacement, and political upheaval are some of the most important and urgent subjects of photography, past and present. This exhibition addresses these topics through works from the Loeb’s permanent collection of photography selected by Vassar students currently enrolled in an interdisciplinary course offered by Tracey Holland (Department of Latin American and Latinx Studies). At a time when the world is witnessing the largest displacement of people since World War II, due in significant measure to armed conflict, this class examines select case studies and their consequences for children. A principal aim of the course is to study the efforts of journalists, photographers, and writers of young adult literature to raise awareness about children and armed conflict, and to treat them in such a way that provokes understanding, empathy, and solidarity. As part of their coursework, students were assigned to select, research, and write about one photograph each from the Loeb’s collection. Their selections and writing are featured in this exhibition.

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