Artists who are attentive to humanitarian situations raise the question of the gaze in the face of vulnerability and appraise the risks of voyeurism. More generally, the speakers in this section reflect on the agency of an artwork in how it arouses complex aspects of cognition and emotion.

These conferences tackle the issue of engagement. Beyond representation, how can art enter into dialogue with communities in the grip of humanitarian crises? Through projects in Kenya, Afghanistan and Beirut, the speakers evoke the healing potential of art. The model of Greek tragedy is also introduced as a way of exploring and purging personal and collective trauma.

These lectures question the related, though sometimes competing, notions of ethics and aesthetics. Certain symbols make it possible to connect these notions. Similarly, a dialogue between distant perspective and field action allows for the development of a positive entanglement between the two categories.

This series of presentations looks at some concrete cases in which art and humanitarian aid work together in crisis areas. The speakers bear witness to the positive impact of art, both in their experience as viewers and in their practice. Katarzyna Grabska’s presentation offers final reflections to wrap up the symposium.