This exhibition is a collaboration between photographer Tom Bartowicz and Sarah Abitbol. Sarah Abitbol is a French figure skating champion who was raped by her coach at the age of 15.
“You were my coach. I had just turned fifteen. And you raped me. It took 30 years for my hidden anger to finally turn into a public cry. You destroyed my life, Mr. O., while you quietly led yours. Today, I want to sweep away my shame, make it change sides (…) I come out of this murderous silence and I call on all victims to do the same.” – Sarah Abitbol
Through a selection of 20 photographs never exhibited in France, the “Warning Cry” the exhibition addresses the theme of sexual violence in the world of sport. The objective of the exhibition is to continue the work of freedom of speech launched by Sarah. To continue to break the taboo that often surrounds sexual assault, to encourage victims to speak freely and seek help. “Warning Cry” aims to raise awareness in a subtle way, to open up discussions while offering a visually pleasing exhibition. Sarah evolves in the world of sport, the choice to anchor the exhibition in this framework was imposed in a natural way. The photographs were taken in several sports centers in order to be able to represent different disciplines and different victims. Nevertheless, the exhibition is aimed at everyone and the artistic team as well as the association hope that the message will go well beyond the sporting context. Photography is a way to raise awareness, to highlight the stories of victims. It allows you to freeze a moment in time, to capture a look, a gesture, a feeling, an emotion. In this exhibition, the victims of this violence are honored. The artist Tom Bartowicz represents the psychological and physical experience they go through. Each photo has its own concept and arouses a unique emotion. Tom Bartowicz, with his attention to detail, manages to tell us a whole story in one shot. Some photographs flirt with the unreal and have a light touch of fantasy. The photographer makes us discover painful realities through original and poetic works.
INSEP
11 avenue du Tremblay , 75012 Paris
