The Lost Tapes of A Peoples’ Tribunal, 1982

The Lost Tapes of A Peoples’ Tribunal, 1982, Ayman Alazaraq

Exhibtion design

fotogalleriet.

Winter 2023-2024

The Lost Tapes of A People’s Tribunal, 1982 is an exhibition of Ayman Alazraq designed by Liam Monzer Alzafari that showcases the hidden and forgotten history of a people’s tribunal held in Oslo in 1982. This exhibition brings to light 14 hours of audio-visual material, which had been overlooked for decades, capturing testimonies and forensic evidence of the Sabra and Shatila massacre in Beirut, Lebanon.

Exhibition Sections
1. Shatila
Technique: Mixed Media Installation
This section includes recordings of a performance by Mahmoud Albichtawi, along with a map of Beirut, the coast of Beirut, photos, and archival material. It offers a poignant reminder of the devastation faced by the inhabitants of the Shatila refugee camp.

2. Hanging Memories
Technique: Mixed Media Installation
Slides suspended from the ceiling, a light table, and recordings from Ayman Alazraq tell the story of the archive’s discovery, complemented by additional archival materials. This installation captures the delicate process of uncovering forgotten histories.

3. Mahmoud Darwish
Technique: Mixed Media Installation with Text and Ultrasonic Sound
A tribute to the renowned poet Mahmoud Darwish, this room features his testimony from 1982, interwoven with sound and visual elements that convey the emotional weight of his words.

4. The Hearing
Technique: Video Installation
Featuring 14 hours of re-transferred VHS recordings from the tribunal, this installation immerses viewers in the actual testimonies presented during the hearing.

5. School Yard
Technique: Mixed Media Installation
This section includes recordings by Steinar R. Berge, photos, and archival material, creating a reflective space that evokes memories of a time when hope was still possible amidst the turmoil.

This exhibition delves into the deep, complex connections within the global struggle for Palestinian rights. It highlights formal and informal ties, centered around the recordings from a pivotal hearing in Oslo, October 1982. This hearing was convened in response to the massacre at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps, where the Israel Defense Forces, collaborating with a Lebanese Christian militia, were involved in one of the most harrowing massacres of Palestinian civilians.

Through this exhibition, visitors can engage with a rich collection of photographs, audio-visual materials, and installations that provide not only alternative documentation but also a profound testament to the enduring struggle for justice.