‘Infernal Tortures’ from the Book ‘Grant Kalendrier des Bergieres’ + Officer Saluting (Photo: Tony Valdez) 1995 - 2007

Curator: Tony Valdez’s photograph features León Ferrari's work, specifically a page titled ‘Infernal Tortures’ from the book ‘Grant Kalendrier des Bergieres,’ mounted in front of which is a saluting military officer. The black and white image measures 420 by 297 millimeters. Editor: My immediate reaction is one of stark contrast. The graphic depiction of torture clashes sharply with the rigid formality of the officer's salute. Curator: The juxtaposition is key, don't you think? Ferrari, working in the context of brutal Argentine dictatorships, often critiqued the Church's complicity in state-sponsored violence. This combination of image and action speaks volumes about power structures. Editor: Absolutely. Ferrari repurposed pre-existing imagery to create his commentary. The older artwork’s graphic content underscores the violence, while the officer's salute highlights the blind obedience that enables such horror. Curator: Ferrari's work is an investigation into the material culture of oppression—how symbols and institutions can be manipulated to normalize cruelty. Editor: Yes, and how these symbols, like the cross looming above, can be twisted to justify violence against marginalized bodies. It forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about authority and its abuse. Curator: It's unsettling, but that’s the point. By confronting these images and their historical context, we hopefully become more resistant to the normalization of violence. Editor: A truly harrowing yet incredibly vital piece, reminding us of the urgent need to confront injustice in all its forms.