Fifty Images from ‘Exile’, a Magnum Exhibition Chronicling Migration Over the Last 70 Years

posted in Photography, Refugees and Migration, Switzerland on by

Here are representations of about five dozen of the 300-plus images from the exhibition ‘Exile‘, a coproduction with Magnum Photos currently showing at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva.

The work centers on migration, not just in the “timely” or “newsworthy” sense of today’s crisis, but as a longer study of what displacement has meant, been and wrought over the past 70 years. The timelessness of the story it weaves is riveting.

From the press release:

Today, with 65.6 million people currently displaced around the world, geographical and physical boundaries are strengthening. Extensive migration within and across borders is also reshaping local, global and multinational systems: trade and services flows have multiplied; labour markets are becoming segmented and ethnically stratified; and social and legal rights are being eroded, revealing new forms of vulnerability and inequality.

Migration is more than just numbers, statistics, headlines and faceless processions. It is a timeworn reality, a vast number of unique stories about people who choose or are forced to go into exile. It is their experiences, their journeys and their destinies that this exhibition invites visitors to discover.

Display of photographic prints arranged on a shelf, accompanied by a projected quote by Paolo Pellegrin reflecting on the role of a witness to suffering.

Over 300 images from the photojournalists of Magnum Photos tell the story of migration: walking, waiting, uncertainty, fear… and hope. Work from the agency’s historical greats – including Robert Capa, Werner Bischof and Raymond Depardon – is displayed alongside that of contemporary photographers shooting on the ground.

From the Spanish Civil War to the Vietnam War, from the conflict in the former Yugoslavia to the one in the Middle East and the arrival of refugees at Europe’s door, the exhibition plunges the visitor into a riveting documentary exploration of our world and humanity, calling into question notions of territoriality, geopolitics, economic context and mental boundaries.

Notably, the images aren’t mounted on walls, but rather mounted on thick wood blocks and resting on shelves. Visitors are invited, encouraged even, to handle the images, creating a more intimate, urgent relationship with the photos and the subjects portrayed.

A person holding a black and white photograph of a man walking along a path in a mountainous area, with a group of refugees in a boat on the water in the background image.
A hand holding a black and white photograph of a woman with children on a rural road, with a bus and people in the background, displayed alongside a vibrant sunset photograph of camels.
Three photographic blocks displayed on a shelf, featuring images of people carrying baskets by a river, a child holding an object in an urban setting, and a group of individuals walking in a rural area under the rain.
A black and white photograph showing a woman carrying a child on her back while walking through a crowd of people. Several other children and adults are visible in the background, contributing to a sense of community and movement.
A collage of six photographs depicting various cars loaded with excess baggage and items on their roofs, showcasing different styles and arrangements of packed cargo.
A wooden display stand showcasing two photographs. The top image, in black and white, depicts individuals carrying large boxes across a bridge. The bottom image, in color, shows a group of people walking along a beach, some carrying bags and wearing traditional clothing.
A hand holding a black-and-white photograph depicting a group of people walking on a dirt road, with a child in the foreground and a distance marker labeled "BAMAS".
Black and white photograph of a monk walking in a crowd, appearing contemplative and somber.
A close-up photograph of a young man looking towards the camera, set against a dark background, alongside another image showing people walking in a snowy landscape.
A black and white photo of a young man smoking in front of a destroyed building, with debris and a crane visible in the background.
A hand holding a photograph of a woman carrying goods on her head while walking on a street, with children and various items around her, amidst other photographs displayed on a surface.
A historical photograph depicting a group of people in a barren landscape, some carrying items on their shoulders, with others in the background walking amidst leafless trees and rocky terrain.
A black and white photograph depicting a man comforting a child sitting on the ground in a bleak outdoor setting, with tents visible in the background.
A display of two photographs: one shows a child walking with an adult on a barren landscape, and the other depicts three children pushing a cart loaded with bags on a rural road.
A group of people gathered behind a chain-link fence, expressing various emotions, with a focus on a man in a brown jacket in the foreground.
An elderly man with a long beard wearing a traditional hat carries a child on his back, while a crowd of people walks in the background along a dusty path.
A close-up black-and-white portrait of a woman with a serious expression, wearing a cross necklace, carrying an item on her head. Other black-and-white photographs are displayed around her, depicting various scenes.
A display of three photographs on a shelf, showcasing images of individuals in various settings, including a busy scene with people and soldiers, a dark monochrome image of women in traditional attire, and a portrait of a young boy in a well-lit environment.
A black and white photograph depicting a person carrying a large load on their head in front of a damaged building with visible gunfire marks.
Color photograph of a group of people walking along a road, with palm trees in the background. One person is pushing a wheelbarrow with a child inside, while others carry various items. A building with a sign reading 'CLUB BEER' is visible in the background.
A display of various photographs on blocks, including a black and white image of two figures walking through a dusty landscape with smoke, alongside color images depicting scenes likely related to conflict or struggle.
A black and white photograph of a child lying down with a thoughtful expression, surrounded by additional smaller monochrome images displayed in a gallery setting.
Two black and white photographs displayed on a shelf. The top image features close-up portraits of elderly women, with one looking contemplative. The bottom image depicts a scene of people, possibly in a market, carrying large bundles and interacting.
A child with a serious expression carrying a heavy load on their head, surrounded by a chaotic scene in the background.
Two photographs mounted on wooden blocks. The top photo depicts a group of people, some seated and others standing, near luggage and containers, suggesting a moment of waiting or uncertainty. The bottom photo shows a blurred image of two figures embracing, creating a sense of intimacy and connection.
A woman carrying a large bag on her head, walking amidst rubble, with children in the background.
A display of four black and white photographs on a shelf, featuring various scenes of figures and landscapes.
A montage of two photographs: the top image shows four individuals, including women in traditional attire and a child, walking through a desert landscape. The bottom image is in black and white, depicting a crowd of people gathering near a building.
A black and white photograph depicting a group of young boys standing on a littered street, with a wall in the background. One boy is seen performing a handstand, while others appear to be observing or posing for the camera.
A display featuring two photographs: the top image depicts a crowded relief camp in a mountainous area with tents and people, while the bottom image shows three individuals sitting on a road at night with bags.
A black and white photograph of a person carrying a large rectangular object on their back, walking through a hilly landscape with houses in the background.
An exhibition wall displaying the title 'EXIL' and the dates '14 mars - 25 novembre 2018', featuring text in both French and English discussing themes of exile, migration, and historical figures.

Originally posted on 21 May 2018 on my previous blog, Piran Cafe, which is no longer being updated, and moved here on 17 January 2026.

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