Backlight 02 focuses on the new forms, possibilities and ethical challenges of documentary photographic art in the intercultural setting. Backlight 02 has an extended understanding of documentary. By this understanding documentary is not opposed to creative fictive works but views them as actualisation of the artist’s reaction or relation to world events. The idea of documentary that we wish to uphold is permissive to many truths. Definitions of ‘documentary’ need to be constantly and vigorously rethought as truth and falsity, fiction and real can no longer be the sole operative concepts. ‘Critical authenticity’ refers to the ability to respond and to exercise critical responsibility in authentic situations of social and ethical urgency.

Between the 28th of September and the 1st of December 2002 Backlight 02 presents the photography and media-based artworks of 43 artists from 11 countries in Europe and South America.

A series of videos, projections, multimedia based artworks, internet projects, photo sculpture and classic camera based photography will introduce exciting positions of contemporary art to our audience.