Sara Blokland

Srefidensi

In the artistic research project SREFIDENSI FOTO, I collect and research photographs related to both 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 claiming independence should also have its own word in its own language to signify that status. He created the term ‘Srefidensi’.

“Srefidensi” is also the title I have chosen for the research project, which reflects on centuries of protest, resistance, and emancipation among the Surinamese people before independence (Srefidensi) in 1975.

I researched various historical, visual, and theoretical discourses on Surinamese histories and symbols of resistance and emancipation up to 1975. I focused on photographs depicting (protest) texts, visual staging (re-enactment), and images with strong symbols and symbolism related to Surinamese independence. The project centers on the political and social context but also on the history of the photographs themselves.

The research resulted in publications in the form of five image newspapers, an exhibition at the Tropenmuseum, autonomous works in public spaces in collaboration with artist Jaya Pelupessy, a series of four symposiums at The Amsterdam Museum, Fotodok, The Black Archives, and the Tropenmuseum, and a series of essays by various writers whom 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

( part of collection Wereld Museum)