Srefidensi
Srefidensi
In the artistic research project SREFIDENSI FOTO I collect and research photographs related to known and unknown Surinamese histories of resistance and emancipation up to 1980.
In the 1970s the Surinamese poet and writer Trefossa felt that a nation who claimed their independence should also have their
own word in their own language for that status. He came up with the word ‘Srefidensi’.
Srefidensi is also the title I have chosen for the research project which, through photography, reflects on
centuries of protest, resistance, and emancipation of the Surinamese people prior to the independence (Srefidensi) in 1975.
I researched through a number of historical, visual and theoretical discourses Surinamese histories and symbols of resistance
and emancipation up to 1975. I focused on those photographs that showed images with (protest) texts, visual staging (re-enactment)
and photos with strong symbols and symbolism concerning the Surinamese independence. The project focuses on this political
and social context, but also on the history of the photo itself.
The research resulted in publications in the form of five image newspapers, an exhibition in the Tropenmuseum,
autonomous work in public space in collaboration with artist Jaya Pelupessy, a symposium series of four in
The Amsterdam Museum, Fotodok The Black Archives and the Tropenmuseum and a series of essays by various writers that I invited.
For more info and works see SREFIDENSIFOTO.ORG
Concept en Artistic Research: Sara Blokland
In collaborations with: RCMC CBK Zuidoost Amsterdam Museum The Black archives
