NYC Gazette

Protesters in Nairobi, Kenya shout slogans during a demonstration on June 19, 2024, against tax hikes as members of Parliament debate the financial bill. Photo by Samson Otieno.

NYU Gallatin Galleries examines the ongoing attacks on democracies in five countries around the world in the exhibition "The End of Democracy in Five Acts," running September 9–October 14, 2024. Curated by Gallatin School of Individualized Study professors Keith Miller and Lauren Walsh, the exhibition showcases the work of five photojournalists who have documented recent political events in El Salvador, Kenya, Poland, Philippines, and India to show how legal efforts, including courts, police, and surveillance technology, are used to undermine or dismantle democratic processes.

Miller and Walsh chose to highlight countries from four continents to emphasize the global nature of the issue. The images show how law enforcement and legal efforts—rather than non-constitutional processes such as military coups—are employed to undermine the legitimacy of elections and related democratic rights.

For example, Samson Otieno photographed the 2024 Gen Z demonstrations against tax hikes in Nairobi, Kenya as well as campaigning and demonstrations throughout the electoral process. Hannah Reyes Morales captured the impact of surveillance, information technologies, and police crackdowns under Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs” in the Philippines. Fred Ramos documents the ongoing effects of rising power under Salvadoran leader Nayib Bukele and his connection with gang violence and increasing military influence in social spheres. Jit Chattopadhyay’s photos show facets of India’s electoral process under Narendra Modi’s nationalist party.

This exhibition on global democracies will be on view leading up to the United States presidential election. This is intentional as curators draw connections between it and processes in other countries where citizens contend with legitimately elected governments that manipulate laws and courts to establish systems of repression and surveillance.

“This show does not center the United States and its current process. If anything, it’s a rebuke of American Exceptionalism. Instead, it draws a clear parallel to what is potentially happening as we move toward our upcoming election,” explains Miller. “For example," he continues "Agata Szymanksa creates imagery that focuses specifically on persecution of judges in Poland who oppose changes to the constitution.”

"The End of Democracy in Five Acts" is on view Monday—Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at 1 Washington Pl. (at Broadway) in Greenwich Village. Questions can be emailed to km96@nyu.edu.

About Gallatin Galleries

Housed in New York University’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, Gallatin Galleries showcases innovative work blending multiple forms of artistic practice with themes encompassing economic, racial, and social justice. Founded in 2008 and curated by Keith Miller, Gallatin Galleries features complex displays integrating video, photography, sound art forms while reflecting interdisciplinary academic missions.