[Exhibition] ‘Lens on law: Edges of proximity’
Published 28 January 2025
Demystifying the architecture of the International Criminal Court in The Hague by @Daria Radu
The T.M.C. Asser Instituut and the Royal Academy of Art The Hague proudly present “Lens on law: Edges of proximity” - a collective exhibition in West Den Haag, that explores the intersection of international law and visual arts. From 28 February until 14 March 2025 you are very welcome to join us on a journey that connects international law, art and society in unexpected and exciting ways.
The T.M.C. Asser Instituut and the Royal Academy of Art The Hague (KABK) proudly invite you to experience "Lens on law: Edges of proximity," an immersive journey that explores the intersection of international law and visual arts. At the heart of this exhibition are three distinctive artistic projects, created by photographers Salome Erni, Daria Radu, and Anastasia Troshkova, each of whom brings a unique approach to visualising the complexities of international law.
Daria Radu demystifies the architecture of international legal institutions in The Hague in her work [RESTRICTED]. By capturing the human elements and hidden imperfections of buildings like the International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice, she probes the accessibility of justice and questions its reach beyond imposing facades.
Anastasia Troshkova, in A Testimony of Birdwatching, investigates the dual use of consumer drones in modern warfare and their impact on international law. Using Polaroid imagery, she juxtaposes the detached gaze of drone operators with the visceral realities of their actions, prompting questions about accountability in an era of remote-controlled warfare. The scenography is crafted by Boris Steiner.
Salome Erni delves into the contentious arbitration case between ExxonMobil and the Netherlands in her work inspired by the Groningen gas exploitation controversy. Her installation critiques the inaccessibility of investor-state dispute settlements (ISDS) and questions the alignment of legal frameworks with public interests amidst corporate and state dynamics.
During a three month artist in residency at the Asser Institute, the artists collaborated with legal scholars to create projects that demystify international legal frameworks, institutions, and mechanisms. Through their works, the artists not only highlight the human dimensions of law but also interrogate its accessibility, transparency, and societal impact.
THE GRAND OPENING
The exhibition begins on 28 February 2025 at 20:00 hrs with an unforgettable Grand Opening at West Den Haag. In the former U.S. Embassy, a brutalist Bauhaus building by Marcel Breuer, West DenHaag celebrates its sixth anniversary in the former embassy, presenting a programme featuring six exhibtions, a performance, DJ’s and an international programme curated by Alex Andropolous.
THE GRAND OPENING
Date: 28.02.2025
Time: 19:00 hrs
Location: West Den Haag, Lange Voorhout 102, The Hague
Tickets: Free
Limited seats available. Book now for the Grand Opening to avoid disappointment.
[EXHIBITION] LENS ON LAW: EDGES OF PROXIMITY
Date: 28-02-2025 – 14-02-2025
Location: West Den Haag, Lange Voorhout 102, The Hague
Opening hours
Wednesday 12:00 — 18:00
Thursday 12:00 — 22:00
Friday 12:00 — 18:00
Saturday 12:00 — 18:00
Sunday 12:00 — 18:00
Tickets: Free.
CLOSING PANEL - ARTIST TALKS
The exhibition also functions as a platform for public engagement with international law. The Closing Panel - Artist talks, a public event on 13 March 2025, will feature the artists in conversation with legal scholars from the Asser Institute and faculty members from KABK. The discussion, which will kick off with an engaging lecture on international law and art by Asser Institute research fellow Dr Sofia Stolk (VU Amsterdam), promises to be a fascinating exploration of how art and international law intersect, with practitioners offering new perspectives on the role of art in understanding and interpreting legal systems. Expect a lively conversation, with interactive activities that allow you to express your own thoughts on international law, and a night full of different art forms, such as poetry and short films.
From the Grand Opening to the Closing Panel, this exhibition is an experience designed to engage, challenge, and inspire. We are inviting you to look at international law through new eyes and to (re)consider its impact on society. By making abstract legal concepts tangible and accessible, this project brings together a diverse audience in discussions that are often confined to legal and academic circles.
CLOSING PANEL – ARTIST TALKS
Date: 13 March
Date: 28-02-2025 – 14-02-2025
Location: West Den Haag, Lange Voorhout 102, The Hague
Tickets: Free
Stay tuned for more details.
About the artist in residency programme
The artist in residency project, co-organised by the Asser Institute and the Royal Academy of Art The Hague (KABK) draws inspiration from the Asser Institute’s research agenda ‘Rethinking public interests in International and European Law - Pairing critical reflection with perspectives for action’. The residency, celebrating the Asser Institute’s 60th anniversary, seeks to visually communicate the effects of international and European law on citizens and professionals, with the aim of creating a greater understanding and engagement.
Read more
[Interview] Lens on law: “Sometimes I get hyper-focused and end up talking about drones with my mom or even during a date”
An innovative project by the Asser Institute and the Royal Academy of Art The Hague (KABK) explores whether art can make international and European law more accessible to the public. In this interview, fourth-year photography students Salome, Anastasia and Daria seek for an answer to this question through the lens of photography. Read more. Read more.
[Interview] Researcher Sofia Stolk: “We should never stop asking questions, and art can be a way to do that”
Art and international law, it does seem an uneasy combination – international law being strict, rigid, and all about the application of the rules, and art which tends to bend and question those very same rules. But researcher Sofia Stolk thrives in this No man’s land: 'We should look beyond the narrow focus on judgments or the law itself. I think there is an added value in taking seriously different views on justice.' Read more.
[Just Peace Open Day 2024] ‘Voices from Gaza’ exhibition programme
On Sunday 22 September 2024, the T.M.C. Asser Instituut, in collaboration with the HOPE Foundation, opened its doors to the public for a powerful exhibition titled 'Voices from Gaza'. This captivating installation sought to bring attention to the experiences of children and young adults living in conflict zones, through artworks by young Palestinians and live performances. Read more.
For more information please contact communications@asser.nl