FEAR

FEAR is a photographic installation about universality and equality: culture, nationality, or religion may be different, but we are all humans who share the deepest feelings, as fears. With this project, Caroline Gavazzi explores the theme of children’s fears with the aim of “initiating a conversation and an introspection".

ⓘ Click on the large images above for details

FEAR is a photographic installation made by Caroline Gavazzi, in 2014 at De Beauvoir Primary School in Hackney, London, thanks to the initiative of Pinksie the Whale (www.pinksie.org, international educational art project). In this project, the artist explores the theme of children’s fears. Her aim is to “initiate a conversation and an introspection" about fears among viewers: among adults, among children, and between adults and children. This artwork entails a physical interaction of the viewer with the image, which goes beyond a "simple cursory" look, beyond appearances. The spectator is invited to lift up the white muslin cloth to reveal the children’s fears hidden beneath. This cloth has a very symbolic meaning for the artist as it represents the cloth typically used by toddlers as an object of comfort and protection.

Children can often be shy about their own fears, they can be worried about their friends’ judgment, afraid to be bullied or misunderstood. Adults too, tend to hide “uncomfortable” feelings. They can be vulnerable, they have doubts, and often they try to “cover them up “ instead of being exposed.

The result of revealing these primal fears is very interesting: some viewers find the experience liberating while others find comfort in realizing that their fears are shared among people. A dialogue takes place naturally, without being defensive about it. Going beyond “appearances“ is a very recurring theme in Caroline’s artistic research.

FEAR is about universality and equality: culture, nationality, or religion may be different, but we are all humans who share the deepest feelings, as fears.

De Beauvoir Primary School, London, June 2014