Freedom Fighters
Johann Rousselot
Signatures
Their goal is democracy and a fairer society, free of corruption. In Arab countries the younger generation feels a bond with the values of “free” democratic countries, and they have spoken out, calling for a republic where their aspirations and capabilities can be fulfilled.
Today, unfortunately, the Arab Spring movement appears to have come to an end. The future in the region is clouded in uncertainty as these popular uprisings do not have the leadership and structural organization needed after the initial insurrection, and have thus left the political scene open to better organized, better financed Islamist groups. It is too soon to say whether their political program will advocate revolutionary ideas or a new form of authoritarianism.
Preview
Whatever the political outcome of these rebellions, the renaissance of the Arab world, so long in gestation and so often aborted, now seems to be happening. It is now impossible to ignore popular uprisings; this, at least, is one of the lessons learnt from the Arab revolutions. With the Internet and new technologies being so powerful and omnipresent, it is impossible to imagine that pictures and voices today will not reach the eyes and ears of the world. Under authoritarian regimes, in a police state, words (and now amateur videos and photos) are a source of both danger and freedom: they can lead to prison and torture, or they may bring deliverance from frustration and fear.
The people of Arab countries have proven this, and powerfully so, as ordinary citizens, transcending fear, have taken part in the revolutions and have become heroes who will go down in the annals of history. I wanted to pay tribute to the courage and daring of these freedom fighters calling for democratic reform, the activists - for one day or for eternity - anonymous and well known, the revolutionary icons of these portraits vividly expressing not just anger, but also hope.
Johann Rousselot
With support from Centre national des arts plastiques
