creative writing school
Module 3: Tension & Release
structure
Introduction
Inspirations:
Stay grounded & motivated
Share your text with us
Inspirations:
- "Topography of War", Curated by Jean-Yves Jouannais and Diane Dufour
- Firelei Báez: "The vast ocean of all possibilities", 2023
Stay grounded & motivated
Share your text with us
introduction
In today's geopolitical landscape, conflicts and wars continue to shape the world around us, leaving lasting impacts on societies, cultures, and individuals. From ongoing conflicts in regions like the Middle East to tensions between global powers, the specter of war looms large, impacting communities near and far. In the face of such turmoil, writers have long played a crucial role in resisting the destructive forces of war through their words and narratives.
For this chapter of war, we draw inspiration from the exhibition "Topography of War," which challenges conventional representations of conflict. Curated by Jean-Yves Jouannais and Diane Dufour, this exhibition offers an original perspective on war by focusing on the landscapes and built environments associated with conflict, rather than the traditional elements of battle.
As we embark on this creative writing journey, let us remember that our words have the power to transcend borders, unite communities, and foster empathy in the face of adversity. Through the exploration of war in creative writing, we not only bear witness to the struggles of the past and present but also envision a future where peace prevails. Join us as to confront the realities of war, challenge dominant narratives, and imagine alternative paths towards reconciliation.
For this chapter of war, we draw inspiration from the exhibition "Topography of War," which challenges conventional representations of conflict. Curated by Jean-Yves Jouannais and Diane Dufour, this exhibition offers an original perspective on war by focusing on the landscapes and built environments associated with conflict, rather than the traditional elements of battle.
As we embark on this creative writing journey, let us remember that our words have the power to transcend borders, unite communities, and foster empathy in the face of adversity. Through the exploration of war in creative writing, we not only bear witness to the struggles of the past and present but also envision a future where peace prevails. Join us as to confront the realities of war, challenge dominant narratives, and imagine alternative paths towards reconciliation.
inspirations
Jananne Al-Ani, Shadow Sites II, 2011 / "Topography of War" Exhibition
The exhibition "Topography of War," curated by Jean-Yves Jouannais and Diane Dufour and showcased at LE BAL, Paris, from September 17 to December 18, 2011, challenges conventional representations of war. Instead of focusing on the traditional elements of battle—confrontation, bodies, injury, and death—the photographs and videos in this exhibition present war through a different lens. They depict war in a disembodied manner, emphasizing the landscapes, positions, and built environments associated with conflict.
These artworks serve as topographical essays, offering viewers a unique perspective on war through its geography. By deliberately excluding human figures and focusing solely on the physical spaces affected by conflict, the exhibition prompts audiences to consider the broader implications of war beyond its immediate human toll.
The decision to emphasize the terrain of war reflects not only changes in military strategy but also the challenges faced by photographers and videographers operating in conflict zones. In an era of increased media censorship and the proliferation of long-range weaponry, documenting the human cost of war has become increasingly difficult. As a result, the territory of war has taken on a more abstract and ideological significance, becoming a concept that is challenging to represent visually.
"Topography of War" invites viewers to contemplate the evolving nature of warfare and its impact on both the physical landscape and the human experience. By presenting war in a new light, the exhibition prompts us to question our preconceived notions of conflict and consider alternative ways of understanding its complexities.
These artworks serve as topographical essays, offering viewers a unique perspective on war through its geography. By deliberately excluding human figures and focusing solely on the physical spaces affected by conflict, the exhibition prompts audiences to consider the broader implications of war beyond its immediate human toll.
The decision to emphasize the terrain of war reflects not only changes in military strategy but also the challenges faced by photographers and videographers operating in conflict zones. In an era of increased media censorship and the proliferation of long-range weaponry, documenting the human cost of war has become increasingly difficult. As a result, the territory of war has taken on a more abstract and ideological significance, becoming a concept that is challenging to represent visually.
"Topography of War" invites viewers to contemplate the evolving nature of warfare and its impact on both the physical landscape and the human experience. By presenting war in a new light, the exhibition prompts us to question our preconceived notions of conflict and consider alternative ways of understanding its complexities.
Firelei Báez, "The vast ocean of all possibilities", 2023
In "the vast ocean of all possibilities," Firelei Báez presents a visually complex and immersive work that challenges conventional narratives of conflict and violence. Rather than depicting war as a destructive force that leaves only devastation in its wake, Báez creates a vibrant and dynamic tapestry of interconnected narratives, symbols, and histories. By weaving together elements of mythology, folklore, and personal memory, Báez celebrates the power of imagination and storytelling as a means of survival and resistance.
Through her artwork, Báez offers a counterpoint to dominant narratives of war that often focus solely on violence and destruction. Instead, she invites viewers to consider the ways in which communities affected by conflict draw upon their cultural heritage and collective memory to navigate and endure the challenges they face. In doing so, Báez challenges us to reevaluate our understanding of war and its impact on individuals and communities, offering a more nuanced and compassionate perspective that emphasizes resilience, solidarity, and the transformative power of art.
Through her artwork, Báez offers a counterpoint to dominant narratives of war that often focus solely on violence and destruction. Instead, she invites viewers to consider the ways in which communities affected by conflict draw upon their cultural heritage and collective memory to navigate and endure the challenges they face. In doing so, Báez challenges us to reevaluate our understanding of war and its impact on individuals and communities, offering a more nuanced and compassionate perspective that emphasizes resilience, solidarity, and the transformative power of art.
creative exercise
I. IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE
As you step out into the city, go for a walk, practice "observation". Let your eyes roam freely, seeking out the silent witnesses of history etched into the urban landscape. Look beyond the bustling crowds and modern facades, and search for the hidden scars of history etched into the urban landscape. Seek out the remnants of war—bullet-riddled walls, bombed-out buildings, memorial plaques—and let these tangible relics of the past transport you to another time. Allow yourself to be drawn into the layers of history woven into the fabric of the city, as you hunt for the marks of brutality and war that still echo through time.
II. EXPRESSIVE WRITING
In your expressive writing, delve into the depths of your emotions and reflections inspired by your immersive experience and the principles of the "Topography of war" exhibition. Focus on describing war in a disembodied manner, distancing yourself from the visceral imagery of conflict and instead honing in on the geographic, architectural, and symbolic dimensions of warfare. Explore the ways in which war has left its mark on the landscape of your city, shaping its contours and permeating its spaces with a sense of history and loss. Reflect on the juxtaposition of everyday life against the backdrop of past trauma, and contemplate the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Optional: If you want to delve deeper:
III. TEXT-BASED ART: CREATION EXERCISE
Return home with your impressions fresh in your mind and translate them into a unique form of expression: the subjective map of war in your city. Armed with a large sheet of paper and a pen, sketch out the contours of your cityscape not with lines and shapes, but with words and phrases that capture the essence of its wartime history. Let your creativity flow freely as you craft a literary cartography that reflects your personal perspective on the scars of war etched into the fabric of your city.
As you step out into the city, go for a walk, practice "observation". Let your eyes roam freely, seeking out the silent witnesses of history etched into the urban landscape. Look beyond the bustling crowds and modern facades, and search for the hidden scars of history etched into the urban landscape. Seek out the remnants of war—bullet-riddled walls, bombed-out buildings, memorial plaques—and let these tangible relics of the past transport you to another time. Allow yourself to be drawn into the layers of history woven into the fabric of the city, as you hunt for the marks of brutality and war that still echo through time.
II. EXPRESSIVE WRITING
In your expressive writing, delve into the depths of your emotions and reflections inspired by your immersive experience and the principles of the "Topography of war" exhibition. Focus on describing war in a disembodied manner, distancing yourself from the visceral imagery of conflict and instead honing in on the geographic, architectural, and symbolic dimensions of warfare. Explore the ways in which war has left its mark on the landscape of your city, shaping its contours and permeating its spaces with a sense of history and loss. Reflect on the juxtaposition of everyday life against the backdrop of past trauma, and contemplate the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Optional: If you want to delve deeper:
III. TEXT-BASED ART: CREATION EXERCISE
Return home with your impressions fresh in your mind and translate them into a unique form of expression: the subjective map of war in your city. Armed with a large sheet of paper and a pen, sketch out the contours of your cityscape not with lines and shapes, but with words and phrases that capture the essence of its wartime history. Let your creativity flow freely as you craft a literary cartography that reflects your personal perspective on the scars of war etched into the fabric of your city.
stay grounded and motivated!
"War is a heavy, complex subject. It’s an external manifestation of conflict, a reflection of what happens when individuals, cultures, and powers collide, when there is no agreement, only a desire to dominate, control, or invade. It leaves behind traces—deep scars of separation, of the inability to coexist. This topic is difficult to explore, but I want to acknowledge the weight of the work you’ve done here. I truly wish I could see what you’ve created, because war, and more broadly, conflict, is at the heart of my own artistic research.
As an artist, I’m drawn to conflict not because I seek it out, but because it reveals so much about who we are—our limits, our fears, and our capacity for change. Conflict is about differentiation. It’s in the moment when two forces recognize their differences, their boundaries. But what I’m most interested in is how we navigate this space of difference. What do we do with it? Do we use it as a justification for violence, for control? Or can we find another way to exist with what separates us?
My work often revolves around these questions—how to explore tension without breaking, how to hold space for disagreement without losing connection. Conflict, at its core, is not just about war; it’s about the friction that exists between every “I” and “you,” between every individual and their environment. It’s about the choices we make when we are faced with the reality that we are not the same.
So, as you complete this chapter, I invite you to reflect on your own relationship with conflict. How do you respond to the moments of tension in your life, in your art? I’d love to hear your thoughts and to see the pieces this chapter has inspired you to create. Please use the form below to share your text with me if you feel comfortable. Even though this is an online course, I want you to know that I’m genuinely curious about your work. I want to follow where this course takes you, to witness how you navigate these difficult, vital questions.
Conflict and differentiation are part of what makes us human. I hope this chapter has offered you a space to explore that, and I look forward to seeing where it leads you."
—Anna Ádám
Founder of the School of Disobedience
As an artist, I’m drawn to conflict not because I seek it out, but because it reveals so much about who we are—our limits, our fears, and our capacity for change. Conflict is about differentiation. It’s in the moment when two forces recognize their differences, their boundaries. But what I’m most interested in is how we navigate this space of difference. What do we do with it? Do we use it as a justification for violence, for control? Or can we find another way to exist with what separates us?
My work often revolves around these questions—how to explore tension without breaking, how to hold space for disagreement without losing connection. Conflict, at its core, is not just about war; it’s about the friction that exists between every “I” and “you,” between every individual and their environment. It’s about the choices we make when we are faced with the reality that we are not the same.
So, as you complete this chapter, I invite you to reflect on your own relationship with conflict. How do you respond to the moments of tension in your life, in your art? I’d love to hear your thoughts and to see the pieces this chapter has inspired you to create. Please use the form below to share your text with me if you feel comfortable. Even though this is an online course, I want you to know that I’m genuinely curious about your work. I want to follow where this course takes you, to witness how you navigate these difficult, vital questions.
Conflict and differentiation are part of what makes us human. I hope this chapter has offered you a space to explore that, and I look forward to seeing where it leads you."
—Anna Ádám
Founder of the School of Disobedience
Photo: Nicholas Calcott / "Topography of War" Exhibition