If those who decide war had to fight it, would there be less war?

Posted on by Stefan Voswinkel, Business & Career Mentor, Photographer

Two memorable exhibitions in Vancouver highlight the absurdity of war:

YOKO ONO: GROWING FREEDOM

Yoko Ono to this day remains a peace activist. It’s now 42 years since John Lennon was murdered. The videos and photos in the exhibition deeply moved me. In one room, visitors could pin messages to their mothers to the wall – hundreds did, including myself.

At the Vancouver Art Gallery until May 1st, 2022.

CLOUD ALBUM
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE ARCHIVE OF MODERN CONFLICT

Most of this exhibition is dedicated to the history of cloud photography, visualizing meteorological observations. But the part that left a lasting impression with me depicts nuclear weapon tests and the photo-diaries of german fighter pilots in WW2. The exhibition poster (see below) depicts bombs falling towards the clouds on their destructive mission.

At the Polygon Gallery in North Vancouver until May 1st, 2022.

See the falling bombs? (Banner Image: Anonymous, WWII Bomb raid on Moosbierbaum oil refinery)
A beautiful space!

The Archive of Modern Conflict is an organisation dedicated to the collection and preservation of vernacular photographs, objects, artefacts, curiosities, and ephemera. Founded in 1991, the archive began as a collection of photographs relating to war and conflict but has since expanded its remit to become the vast and thematically diverse repository it is today.

Russians, Ukrainians and Whoever

These days I can support my remote students in Ukraine and Russia by listening and encouraging; I cannot step into their shoes; I cannot really feel what they feel. It eats me up. My hope is that ordinary Russians and Ukrainians will not be discriminated against – no matter where they are.

The following photo depicts an artifact on False Creek by Justin Langlois. He meant it in an environmental context, but I made the connection to how the war in Ukraine affects us all.

Last week we had a delicious dinner at the Cactus Club Café in Vancouver (Coal Harbour). Peace was so obvious: At one neighbouring table, there was a local construction manager who immigrated 30 years ago from Fiji, dining with a Danish client who has hunted game in our Yukon as well as in Germany, from where we immigrated 29 years ago. At another neighbouring table, a large family of three generations dined – the parents were Chinese and white, and the Chinese grandma throned over them with such beautiful authority (she didn’t like green asparagus and pushed it from her plate to a grandkid’s plate).

YES, we can all get along and enjoy the cherry blossom!

Peace is possible!

Table 91 is the best! Cherry blossom along the Waterfront.
Unknown's avatar

Published by Stefan Voswinkel, Business & Career Mentor, Photographer

I have travelled to 31 countries so far. What exploring means to me: Venture into the Yukon backcountry by snowmobile - arriving at spectacular vistas with my buddy; enjoying world cafés (non-franchise please!) and the interesting conversations that blossom there; collaborating with free spirits. I feel attracted to people who truly care and have a backbone. Accountability and life-long learning are important to me. Political correctness is not my thing. My interests include all things aviation, the global economy, entrepreneurship, drumming (funky grooves!), winter photography and Korea. I’m passionate about mentoring and coaching others. I am tutoring professionals from around the globe in conversational German and English. If you are interested in my professional experience and expertise, please see my LinkedIn profile. https://ca.linkedin.com/in/stefanvoswinkel All texts and photos are mine. Please respect my copyright and name the source if you quote me.

Leave a comment