Czuła sejsmografia historii. O ‘Wszystkich wojnach świata’ Tomasza Szerszenia
Sensitive Seismography of History. On ‘Wszystkie wojny świata’ by Tomasz Szerszeń

Summary/Abstract: A block of discussions on Tomasz Szerszeń’s book Wszystkie wojny świata (słowo/obraz terytoria – Instytut Sztuki PAN 2021). How is one to decipher from today’s perspective the recurring images of catastrophes or traces of historical events observed from a distance? Can the ancient skill of “spodomancy” be of use in this attempt at archaeology of contemporaneity? From Hiroshima and Chernobyl, the Near East and Algeria, Auschwitz and Fukushima, all the way to the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris and other contemporary conflicts and crises the author creates a by definition incomplete planetary cartography of destruction: he takes a closer look at photographs and texts concerning vestiges of catastrophes and wars seen from afar, and follows their tracks so as to attempt to decolonise their images and latent impact upon us. Wszystkie wojny świata is a multitiered lavishly illustrated essay situated on the crossroads of anthropology, literature, and reflections on photography. At the same time, it is the outcome of years-long studies, a register of travels, and an attempt at regaining certain childhood images in order to better understand oneself and one’s place in relation to history.

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