VIDEOART: JAKUB HONS – FORGOTTEN LANDS
opening: 28. 5. 2024
exhibition: 29. 5. – 20. 7. 2024
In his subtle yet compelling audiovisual essay, Czech intermedia artist Jakub Hons deals with a specific conflict, while simultaneously exploring broader themes of resource exploitation and respect for human rights. He combines internet-sourced video footage with simple recordings from Google Earth satellites. The calm movement of the camera over the arid terrain stands in sharp contrast to the alarming content of the fragmented videos.
The Forgotten Lands project communicates the issues surrounding the conflict in Western Sahara and its phosphate mining activities. Western Sahrawis, and especially Sahrawi women activists, are an example of unending courage in the face of years of repression and violence from a significantly more powerful entity. Despite the seemingly endless challenges, these activists persist in their fight for human rights, and especially for the fundamental right to self-determination.
Jakub Hons (*1997) studied at the Department of Photography at FAMU and completed an internship at the Intermedia I studio at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. He has exhibited his audiovisual projects and intermedia installations in esteemed galleries in Prague as well as public spaces.