Posters, photographs, films and objects of all kinds bear witness to the history and activities of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement since its birth in Geneva in 1863. Convinced that art and heritage provide a better understanding of world affairs, the Museum invited Henry Leutwyler to explore the 30,000 objects in its collections in complete freedom. Henry Leutwyler's HUMANITY series echoes the 75th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, with over 50 portraits of humanitarian objects from the 19th century to the present day.
Henry Leutwyler's attentive and generous perspective brings to life the most diverse objects: a first‑aid kit, a cannonball, an armband, the first Nobel Peace Prize medal. Their details and imperfections evoke stories from the field, of people who, then as now, are committed to our shared humanity. The photographs are accompanied by minimal information, leaving room for the imagination.
- Access to the exhibition is free of charge.
The exhibition HUMANITY is produced by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum with the support of the City of Geneva and the Association of Friends of the Museum.
Curator and graphic designer: Ruba Abu-Nimah in collaboration with Renée Theriault.
Development and production: Pascal Hufschmid and Marie-Laure Berthier.
Printing: Atelier Richard.
Trained in Paris after being rejected by one of Switzerland's leading photography schools, Henry Leutwyler is based in New York. He works regularly with the American press – Vogue, Vanity Fair, New York Times Magazine, Esquire – for which he has photographed Michelle Obama, Julia Roberts, Tom Wolfe, Iggy Pop, Rihanna and Martin Scorsese. To date, he has published 11 books with Steidl.