Actes Sud : Photo Poche : Susan Meiselas

Susan Meiselas (born in 1948) is one of the essential figures in the history of photography—not only because she confronts us with the realities of global conflicts, from wars to human rights issues, but also because she brings a vital reflection on the role of the medium and documentary practice.

“For Susan Meiselas, being a witness means accepting the ambiguous relationship between photography, art, and information, all centered around the idea of documentation” (Marta Gili). From the so-called photographic truth to the necessary distance between photographer and subject, these ongoing debates in the photography world are at the heart of Susan Meiselas’s work. She has a profound understanding of both the power and the limitations of photography as a witness to history.

As Marta Gili, who wrote the introduction to this issue, explains, Meiselas’s approach is grounded in a three-part strategy: confronting multiple sources of information, maintaining a balanced distance from her subjects, and being acutely aware that photography alone is insufficient as a document. She complements her visual investigations with exhibitions, films, interviews, and texts.

From the violence inflicted on women’s bodies to the conflicts in Central America and the genocide of the Kurdish people under Saddam Hussein, Meiselas has devoted her life to highlighting the plight of marginalized people who are often victims of political, social, or media-driven decisions—all without resorting to pathos or victimization.