Transitions

About the Project

Transitions is a four-part international cultural exchange between the cities of Chicago, Bogotá, Goma, and Sarajevo. With major support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Transitions brings together creative teams from Bogotá, Colombia; Chicago, Illinois; Goma, the Democratic Republic of Congo; and Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. This group co-curated a photography exhibition to highlight several national journeys of transitional justice in post-conflict environments.

Through collaboration, community conversations, and workshops, the four teams of curators and photographers explore and reflect upon the unique and shared experiences of a country’s evolution from war to peace, alongside the lessons learned by their colleagues and audiences.

This project considers multiple aspects of post-conflict society and challenges and successes at varying stages of transitional justice, from across the centuries to recently established zones of fragile peace. It fosters a discussion of varied definitions of otherness and the difficulties these multi-faceted communities face. By sharing diverse post-conflict experiences, Transitions promotes the development of new ideas and solidarity among fellow global citizens.

about the artists

Martin Lukongo

Martin Lukongo is a Congolese photographer and designer based in Goma.

Sophia Nahli Allison 

Sophia Nahli Allison is a filmmaker, photographer, and artist.

Juan Arredondo

Juan Arredondo is a documentary and editorial photographer based in New York City.

Midhat Poturovic 

Midhat Poturovic is a Bosnian photojournalist based in Sweden.

Introduction video

Transitions explores post-conflict societies and the idea of transitional justice within these places. This introductory video provides more context and information on this project. 

Transitions introduction (4 min.)

bring this exhibit to you

All of our exhibitions are designed to tour and can be adapted to a broad spectrum of venue types and sizes.

We are happy to provide step-by-step support for hosting this exhibit.

Contact us to learn more about bringing this exhibit to your community.

Transitions installation in Chicago

Public Programs

June 26, 2017

WARM Festival. In partnership with Post-Conflict Research Center

February 2, 2017

World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, Bogotá
In partnership with Centro Nacional de la Memoria Histórica.

December 15, 2016

625 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago
Special thanks to speakers Martine Granby, photographer and documentarian; Amanda Kleintop, PhD candidate, Northwestern University; Sophia Nahli Allison, Transitions US photographer.

December 14, 2016  Bessie Coleman Library
Special thanks to speakers Janet Smith, PhD, Vorhees Center for Neighborhood and Community Improvement, UIC; Ryan Spangler, Heartland Alliance; Jessica Darrow, PhD, School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago; and moderator Roberta Feldman, M.Arch., PhD, Professor Emerita, UIC School of Architecture.

December 7, 2016

Conrad Sulzer Regional Library
Special thanks to speakers Kim Theriault, PhD, Art History, Dominican University; Leslie Harris, PhD, Department of History, Northwestern University; Elizabeth Lozano, PhD, School of Communication, Loyola University; Clement Adibe, PhD, Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies, DePaul University.

November 19, 2016

625 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago
Special thanks to speakers Steve Bynum, WBEZ Worldview; Linda Lutton, WBEZ Education Reporter; Kate Masur, Northwestern University; Janet Smith, University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Urban Planning and Policy; Jeanette Samuels, Samuels & Associates, Ltd. and moderators Sonya Anderson, Leading Educators; Susan Gzesh, Pozen Center for Human Rights, University of Chicago.

November 16, 2016 

Rogers Park Public Library
Special thanks to speakers Peter Magui Bul, former Sudanese Lost Boy and Katherine Kaufka Walts, Director of Loyola’s Center for the Human Rights of Children.

November 12, 2016 

West Pullman Library
Special thanks to speakers Vanessa Smith, Executive Director, South Side Help Center; Jennifer Brier, Director of Gender and Women’s Studies, UIC; and moderator Anna Maitland, Schuette Clinical Fellow in Health and Human Rights, NU Law.

October 13, 2016  Frederick A. Douglass Library
Special thanks to speakers G. Flint Taylor, People’s Law Office; Sheila Bedi, Northwestern School of Law and Roderick and Solange MacArthur Justice Center; Amanda Rivkin, Photographer, Burge Victims Speak; and moderator Leslie Thomas, founder of ART WORKS Projects.

October 4, 2016

Carter G. Woodson Regional Library
Special thanks to speakers Dr. Lynne Muhammad, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School; Ashley Cureton Turner, University of Chicago; Amy Maglio, Women’s Global Education Project; and moderator Sonya Anderson, Leading Educators.

September 29, 2016 

625 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago
Special thanks to speakers David Peyton, Northwestern University; Helena María Olea Rodríguez, University of Illinois at Chicago; Edin Hajdarpasic, Loyola University Chicago; Leslie M. Harris, Northwestern University.

September 15, 2016

625 N. Kingsbury St., Chicago
In partnership with The Post-Conflict Research Center (PCRC) and the WARM Foundation; Centro Nacional De Memoria Histórica; Yole!Africa.

support for this project

Partners

Transitions is produced in partnership with:

Funders

Transitions is generously supported in part by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation International Connections Fund