Abderrahman Baack

Attacks in Paris

Photography Exhibition

Processing civic POWER&DEBILITY

“These photographs are my memories and artistic processing of the attacks in Paris on the 13th of November 2015. On that evening I was with a group from the Network of Diversity and Participation at the Stade de France, to see an exhibition match between the German and French national soccer teams. This was a field trip of the German-French Youth Works to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the network . . .

We experienced fear, uncertainty, and the state of emergency in Paris. Who wields power here? Against whom is power being exercised? We witnessed power and debility. This attack targeted everyone that is not a fanatic, every single tolerant and freedom loving person, everywhere . . .

Mass panic took hold, people screamed. Women and children had a look of fear on their faces that I have never before seen on anyone. To top it all off, I cannot speak french and it was my first time in this city. Only through photography was I able divert my attention in such a situation, trying to create ‘memories’ for myself.”

Abderrahman Baack