Is the Earth Flat?
Is the Earth Flat?
April 6, 2021
Jerry, 2019
© Philippe Braquenier / courtesy The Ravestijn Gallery
The Ravestijn Gallery in Amsterdam presents the showcase ‘Earth Not a Globe’ with works by Philippe Braquenier. The exhibition title was taken from an eponymous volume released in the late 19th century, in which Samuel Birley Rowbotham claims that the earth is flat, rather than spherical. His assertions, steeped in outlandish conspiracy theories, went on to gather a large following – culminating in today’s infamous ‘Flat Earthers’.
In his project, Philippe Braquenier addresses the mechanisms of these conspiracy theories. He pinpoints and dissects a series of statements that support the Flat Earth theory – and produces ‘forensic evidence’ using the same procedures as Rowbotham’s disciples. His images, accompanied by brief captions, are manipulated, fragmented and disconnected from their actual context. Looking at these photographs, we might well question the rotation of the earth and the existence of gravity itself – were it not for one important detail: the photographer has consciously included signs of his interventions, leaving us with revealing clues about his working process.
For further information url=https://www.theravestijngallery.com target=_blankRavestijn Gallery[/url] and Philippe Braquenier
Jerry, 2019
© Philippe Braquenier / courtesy The Ravestijn Gallery
Rotating globe, 2018
© Philippe Braquenier / courtesy The Ravestijn Gallery
Star trails 20° North, 2018
© Philippe Braquenier / courtesy The Ravestijn Gallery
True perspective, 2016
© Philippe Braquenier / courtesy The Ravestijn Gallery