Facing Care – Hidden Scenes of Looking After

What does it mean to care? What forms of care work shape our everyday lives and how can they be made visible? In the seminar ‘Politics of Care: Photographic Perspectives’ in the Social and Cultural Anthropology study programme, we approached this question using ethnographic, visual and autobiographical approaches. 

The exhibition Facing Care. Hidden Scenes of Looking After examines how care practices look, feel and are negotiated in everyday life. The resulting photographs and interviews offer insight into personal stories, ambivalences and political dimensions of care. Regardless of whether it involves transnational care work, self-care, child care, support and friendship in times of crisis, or institutionalised nursing, care remains complex, conflictual and far too often invisible. 

With Facing Care, we take a look behind the scenes and aim to examine everyday practices of care beyond common representations. Care work is never static, but develops along a dynamic interplay of social relationships, political institutions, personal expectations and negotiations. It can be found in the smallest details and stretches across great distances and family histories. It comes to the fore when we urgently need it and disappears where social inequality and political exclusion prevail.

The photographs on display are accompanied by photo elicitation interviews. Selected quotes deepen our understanding of personal experiences with care – how it is understood, practised, learned and felt. Our aim is to take a close look at care – as something that affects us all, but is rarely the focus of attention. With this exhibition, we reveal hidden scenes and intimate moments of caring. We look at what otherwise remains hidden and invite everyone to come and see.