NYU Gallatin Galleries Presents ‘The End of Democracy in Five Acts’ September 9–October 14, 2024

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 the 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 the 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 the campaigning and demonstrations throughout the electoral process. Hannah Reyes Morales captured the impact of surveillance, information technologies, and police crackdowns under the reign of Rodrigo Duterte's "war on drugs" in the Philippines. Fred Ramos documents the ongoing effects of the rising power of Salvadoran leader, Nayib Bukele, and his connection with gang violence and the increasing power of the military in social spheres. Jit Chattopadhyay's photos show the many facets of India's electoral process under the shadow of Narendra Modi's nationalist party.

This exhibition on global democracies will be on view in the weeks leading up to the United States presidential election. This is intentional, as the curators draw connections between it and the 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 the idea 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, Agata Szymanksa, a documentary photographer from Poland, creates imagery that focuses specifically on the persecution of judges in Poland who oppose changes to the constitution."

The End of Democracy in Five Acts is on view Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., at 1 Washington Pl. (at Broadway) in Greenwich Village.

About Gallatin Galleries
Housed in New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study, the Gallatin Galleries showcases innovative and immersive work that blends multiple forms of artistic practice with themes that encompass economic, racial, and social justice. Founded in 2008 and curated by Keith Miller, the Galleries are home to complex and compelling displays that integrate video, photography, sound, painting, and sculpture, illuminating the work of both up-and-coming and established artists while reflecting the interdisciplinary academic mission of the Gallatin School. For more information, please visit https://wp.nyu.edu/gallatingalleries/.

Peggy McGlone

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