European Media Art Festival: Rubber Coated Steel

RUBBER COATED STEEL

Lawrence Abu Hamdan (Lebanese, German co-production) 22 mins

May 2014: CNN captured the shooting of two unarmed teenagers during protests outside of a prison on the occupied West Bank by an Israeli soldier, who claimed “only” to be using rubber bullets instead of live ammunition. To prove him wrong, the human rights organisation Defence for Children International contacted Forensic Architecture, an agency that undertakes advanced architectural and media research, which, in turn, worked with sound artist Lawrence Abu Hamdan to investigate the incident. His audio-ballistic analysis of the recorded gunshots provided pivotal evidence.

Lawrence Abu Hamdan: His projects have taken the form of audiovisual installations, performances, graphic works, photography, Islamic sermons, cassette tape compositions, potato chip packets, essays, and lectures. Abu Hamdan’s interest with sound and its intersection with politics originate from his background in DIY music. His works are part of collections at MoMA New York, Van Abbe Museum Eindhoven, Centre Pompidou Paris and the Arts Council, England.