How can an exhibition convey the complexity of modern conflicts in order to raise awareness of the role of peaceful coexistence?

NY 9/11 - War in Times of Peace is an anti-war project by artist Yadegar Asisi that addresses the far-reaching consequences of the 9/11 attacks and their aftermath. The exhibition combines a monumental 360° panorama as its main installation, preceded by five installations that examine the suffering, displacement, and geopolitical repercussions of the event and the wars that followed. The exhibition's reverse chronological narrative spans two decades of global impact. It explores this complex subject through five installations, three of them featuring video and audio. 

For the installation Zeitzeugen (Time Witnesses), the video design focused on the personal testimonies of survivors, human rights activists and former detainees of the 'war on terror', visually documenting their stories and presenting them through media stations. In the installation titled Krieg beginnt im Wohnzimmer (War Begins in the Living Room), a custom-made TV screen served as a video channel for the world's political statements in support of the war, while aerial imagery of the yet-to-be war zones was displayed on the backdrop using projection mapping. In the case of the installation Grenzen werden Mauern (Borders Become Walls), a bespoke audio design highlighted the discourse on border protection through a powerful collage of political statements, exposing the human cost of restricted movement and forced migration.

The visual and auditory elements were the result of coordinated research and curated content that was later translated into bespoke audiovisuals, contributing to the overarching anti-war message of the exhibition. 

NY 9/11 - War in Times of Peace was exhibited in Leipzig from 2022 to 2024 and was highly acclaimed for its depiction of global conflict, mostly as an educational resource for younger generations. The exhibition won the Red Dot Design Award 2022 for Brands & Communication Design and was awarded "Best of the Best" at the Iconic Awards 2022.