Karel Fonteyne

Karel Fonteyne presents at the Young Gallery (Brussels) a personal selection of photographs taken
during its 35 years of career and also a preview of his latest work: Pistoleros.

As most boys like to do, I used to eagerly explore the world of forests, and began picking up at a very young age all sorts of small pieces of wood that resembled guns.
Pistols facinated me then, and 50 years later, I vividly remember crossing these tiny pieces along my trail.
It was the horrible genocide in Serebenica and Rwanda which convinced me to photograph these innocent looking pieces of wood. By showing them in another light, they possess another destination and meaning.

What began as a game evolved into a project called “Pistoleros”. By using a technical camera, the pieces became more dramatic and evil. I added text associated with past historical and current events in the world. The combination between picture and word resulted in a cry of revolt, and a reminder of the never-ending cruality of man who always repeats himself.

Spring became the ideal hunting ground as birds were building their nests. Ironically, the olive branch of the peace pigeon became material for a “weapons” nest. What was lost during their flight, and what I found on my daily walks became evidence for my investigation.

The unfinished and endless collection of photographs is a cynical insinuation of political wars, torture, genocide, dictators, victims as well as those who fought against these realistic elements through actions and words.

Hundreds millions people have died of conflicts until now... Will we take off our coat of ignorance and spread new plumes of hope and action, so the strangling silence of Tibet and the dark reality which embraces Darfour will end or will we close our eyes and let mankind destroy itself

Karel Fonteyne
Menorca, july 2007