Current Exhibitions
Inescapable Truths
Works by Bradley McCullum
April 3 - May 5, 2024
Opening Reception: April 3, 6:00 - 7:30pm
James “Jim” Foley was a conflict journalist and Medill graduate who covered violent civil wars in Libya and Syria. In 2012, he was captured in Syria; nearly two years later he was beheaded by his captors in a public YouTube video that shocked the world. This year marks 10 years since Foley’s death.
Conflict journalists expose us to violent strife around the world and share the plight of those caught in the crossfire. Foley’s life was dedicated to documenting and sharing the stories of the individuals at the heart of wars to promote civil and political action.
Artist Bradley McCallum uses Foley’s video footage from the civil wars in Libya and Syria to create oil paintings that he further activates with augmented reality, allowing viewers to experience Foley’s presence, and the footage that inspired the paintings.
Inescapable Truths is on view on Level 4 in University Library (April 3 – June 14) and in Dittmar Gallery in the Norris University Center (April 3 – May 7).
Click here to view exhibition programming
Read media coverage: Confronting 'Inescapable Truths' of Journalism Amid Conflict'
Image: Retreat (Road to Ajdabiya, Libya, April 1, 2011, 12:00pm), 2024, Bradley McCallum
Content warning for visitors
The video clips in the AR experience are from Foley’s raw footage. What he captured is sometimes graphic and violent. Each painting includes specific content warnings where applicable. We recognize that the content may be triggering for some people.
Acknowledgment
Sponsors
Northwestern University Libraries
Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing and Communications
in collaboration with Northwestern University Library
Additional Support Provided By
Lisa and Steve Knight
James W. Foley
Legacy Foundation
Tactic Studios
Efe Ozemen
Northwestern University Media & Technology Innovation
8th Wall
Special Thanks
The faculty and students of the Knight Lab: Craig Stevens, Arpana Goyal, Alice Meng, Nora Rosenfeld, Eleni Tecos, Annie Uhle, Arthi Venkatesh
Charles Sennott, Founder of the Ground Truth Project and David Bradley, Chairman Atlantic Media, for providing time to the students and for their ongoing support of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation.
Raynor Memorial Libraries Archival Collections & Institutional Repository, Marquette UniversityLastly, we would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Diane Foley, mother of James Foley and founder of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, for her grace and time with Northwestern students.
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